Police Officer charged with breaching Lautoka lockdown restrictions

A senior Police officer has been charged with allegedly breaching the Lautoka lockdown restrictions.

The senior officer allegedly left Lautoka and returned to Sigatoka over the weekend.

He has been charged with one count of disobedience of lawful order and will be produced at the Sigatoka Magistrates Court tomorrow.

The alleged selfish actions of the senior officer is deeply concerning and I have directed he be sent on interdiction/suspension and charged.

We cannot have Police Officers who are intent on serving their own needs while blatantly disregarding the welfare, safety and security of the people we serve, particularly in a time where police are relied upon heavily to keep everyone safe.

The alleged actions of this officer, in no way reflects the tireless work put in by hundreds of other officers manning the checkpoints and those currently serving within the Lautoka restricted areas these past few days.

I reiterate once again that there is no place in the Fiji Police Force for officers who break the very laws we are expected to uphold, and will ensure that those officers who are found breaching the restrictions are made to face the consequences of their actions in a court of law like everyone else.

COMMISSIONER OF POLICE

Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho