The Ministry of Policing, in collaboration with the Fiji Police Force and the Office of the Solicitor-General, has commenced a comprehensive review of the Police Act 1965. A legal consultant has been engaged to support this process, with the goal of modernising Fiji's policing laws to better reflect current realities and the rights and expectations of all Fijians.
The review began in May 2025 with a series of high-level consultations involving the Minister for Policing, the Commissioner of Police, the Acting Deputy Commissioner of FICAC at the time, and a team from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. These initial discussions were instrumental in shaping the overall objectives of the review.
Since then, the review team has met with a range of key stakeholders, including the Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission; Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection; Fiji Council of Social Services; Fiji Disabled Peoples Federation; Fiji Women's Crisis Center; Fiji Women's Rights Movement; and femLink Pacific. These discussions have underscored a number of critical policy priorities.
Key areas of focus for the review include:
• Ensuring police powers are clearly defined and balanced with constitutional and human rights obligations
• Modernising police practices in line with advancements in science and technology
• Providing legal protection for informers and whistleblowers
• Establishing a national framework for community policing
• Promoting training, professionalism, and sensitivity within the Fiji Police Force
As part of the next stage of the review, an online public submission portal will be launched by the end of this week, inviting all Fijians to share their views on how the Police Act can be improved. In early August, the review team will release a Consultation Paper outlining key policy issues and a draft Police Bill reflecting proposed legislative reforms.
Public consultations will also be held across Fiji in August to discuss the new Bill. Full details of consultation venues, dates, and times will be advertised in national newspapers.
The Ministry encourages the public to participate in this important national process. Public feedback and earnest participation will help ensure that the laws governing policing in Fiji are modern, fair, and responsive to the needs of all communities. This is an opportunity to contribute to civic lawmaking and ensure that the law reflects the values, rights, and aspirations of the people it is meant to serve.
Together, we can build a policing system that is professional, accountable, and equipped to serve a just and inclusive Fiji.