The Fiji Police Force has now acquired modern technological systems and equipment to strengthen law and order through its newly launched Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS).
The Minister for Defence, National Security and Immigration, Ratu Epeli Ganilau while launching AFIS said globalisation and the evolving security landscape demand the Fiji Police Force to be on par with regional and international Police organisations in terms of technological and intellectual capability.
"Fiji relies heavily on tourism and overseas investments and a stable law and order environment is fundamental not only to maintaining peace and stability but also creating the catalyst for economic and social prosperity.”
Under the Government’s Sustainable Economic Empowerment Development Strategy(SEEDS) the following strategies are outlined:
To develop evidence-based approach to investigations through the use of scientific and analytical systems.
To increase Capacity and capability for collating and analyzing intelligence data and information and investigating complex fraudulent cases.
The Defence Minister said that under Pillar 1 of the People’s Charter, the Fiji Police Force is required to make use of modern technologies like Forensic Equipment.
“Government has shown its zeal towards this through budgetary provision for the Fiji Police Force to purchase this system. It is expected to facilitate early identification of offenders within investigations apart from providing forensic-support evidence in court dockets for prosecution purposes”.
The new system will also assist in record compatibility and effective cross agency identification of people.