Suva, Fiji – Twenty officers in the Fiji Police Force have completed a week-long ‘Training of Trainers’ in Video Recorded and Investigative Interviewing of vulnerable suspects, victims and witnesses.

There were 16 women and 4 male police officers participating in the training, which commenced on Human Rights Day, serving as a reminder that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. The initiative is a move by the Fiji Police Force which recognises and adapts to the needs of its citizens – essential to fulfilling the mandate of Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Supported by the British High Commission in Suva and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Pacific Office in Fiji, the training was delivered by two trainers from the United Kingdom College of Policing, and in collaboration with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The training focused on video recording and investigative techniques for interviewing vulnerable suspects, victims and witnesses such as people living with disabilities, children, women, individuals that are intoxicated with alcohol or drugs, the lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender community, individuals with suicidal tendencies, those that speak a different language, as well those with no access to social mobility.

The Fiji Police Force Deputy Commissioner, ACP Rusiate Tudravu, expressed his appreciation to the British High Commission Suva and UNDP for the capacity building exercise.

“This is the first for our trainers, especially dealing with the vulnerable, it’s about time because we have a lot of cases our investigators have been dealing with in the past, but we didn’t have enough training that was conducted to our investigators,” said ACP Tudravu.

The objective of the five-day training course was to increase the capacity of the Fiji Police Force when interviewing children and vulnerable persons, particularly in the context of investigations of sexual and gender-based violence. The training of trainers’ element will provide a solid foundation to enable similar training across the Fiji Police Force.

In his address to participants, the Acting British High Commission Suva, David Jones, highlighted the importance of building public confidence in the system.

“This course will provide participants with the sets of skills required which is also firmly within a Human Rights framework,” said Jones.

“Supporting Human Rights is not just a good thing to do. Or the right thing. It makes your work as police officers easier. When police officers respect citizens, you build public confidence in law enforcement. That in turn makes the job of good police less difficult. And ultimately less dangerous.”

He added, “It was great to see Fiji taking such an active role in the 16 Days of activism against Gender-based violence. But like many countries – including my own – there is still much more we can all do when it comes to combating these cases.”

With support from the British High Commission in Suva, members of the Fiji Police Force have also participated in study visits to the United Kingdom. 

The Resident Representative a.i. for the UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji, Bakhodir Burkhanov said, “The initiative to conduct the training arose because of the Fiji Police Force endorsed recommendations of the 2017 UK Study Tour and the Training of Trainers in Investigative Interviewing – both of which were supported by UNDP and the British High Commission under the Pacific Security Sector Governance project.”

“This training together with the recent successful Fiji Police Force study tour to the UK provides an opportunity to consider further initiatives to improve access to justice for Fijians and in particular, vulnerable victims and witnesses.”

“I would like to congratulate the Fiji Police Force for their commitment to access to justice initiatives and UNDP looks forward to a continued partnership with the Fiji Police Force as we work to achieve further milestones.”

The Pacific Security Sector Governance project seeks to assist the Fiji Police Force in ensuring that all Fijians have access to justice in criminal proceedings.

For more information or media inquiries please contact:

• Ms Ana Naisoro, Fiji Police Media Liaison Officer, P: 3348107 / 9905999 E: abnaisoro@gmail.com
• Mr Jone Tuiipelehaki Raqauqau, Communications Associate, Effective Governance Team, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji, P: (679) 3227 552, E: jone.raqauqau@undp.org.
• Ms Vosita Kotoiwasawasa, British High Commission in Suva E: Vosita.Kotoiwasawasa@fco.gov.uk