Border control officers are heading towards being internationally recognised says Police spokesperson Ms Ema Mua.
“We are working towards that (international recognition). We know it is not impossible. Getting our officers trained to international standards is something that we are trying to achieve,”Ms Mua said.
According to Ms Mua they have been able to achieve results since the inception of a border control department in Fiji.
“They are up to expectations that we the people and the stakeholders had expected of them,” she said.
The border control department was an initiative by the Immigration Department, the Fiji Police Force, the Customs department, the Fiji Military Forces (Navy), Fiji Islands Maritime Safety Administration (FIMSA) and Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji Islands.
Since its inception some years ago, Ms Mua added that surveillance in protecting the country from illegal ships, yachts, fishing vessels, and drug trafficking are now in better hands.
Officers from around the country especially in remote areas like the maritime islands and those in Vanua Levu and the Yasawa Islands are vulnerable to illegal activities because of their location. But getting offices from the Police force in the area of border control and training them have been a key priority for Government.
“We have had training for officers that are based in Savusavu, Labasa, Udu Point, Rotuma, and the maritime islands so they are able to perform the duties and have the powers those custom officials have.”
This means the officers can also go on board any vessel and search them before it can anchor at any centre,” Ms Mua added.