Specialized Training

The Commissioner of Police Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho has welcomed news of the resumption of specialized training with the New Zealand Police under the Fiji Police Partnership Programme focusing on the Development of the General Patrol Dog Capabilities of the Fiji Police K9 Unit.

With COVID restrictions impacting the ability to progress with cooperation efforts, the easing of travel restrictions means Fijian K9 Police officers will once again be able to take up training opportunities in New Zealand.

A meeting was held today between the Commissioner of Police Brigadier General Qiliho, New Zealand Police National Dog Manager Inspector Todd Southall, Fiji Police Partnership Project (FPPP) Senior Advisor General Patrol Dogs Wally Kopae and New Zealand FPPP Advisory Team Leader Inspector Paris Razos at the Fiji Police Headquarters in Suva.

The visiting team consisting of Mr Southall and Mr Kopae had conducted meetings with officers based at the K9 Unit as well as conduct site visitations at K9 bases in the Central and Western Division.

Mr Southall said as well as the training opportunities opening up in New Zealand, Mr Kopae will be spending time in Fiji working with the K9 Unit later in the year.

Discussions not only focused on immediate training needs, but succession planning as far as leadership and the retention of specialized skilled K9 officers and the replacement of K9 Dogs from NZ.

A meeting with the NZ Police’s Strategy and Planning Office will be held next month to discuss the way forward under the New Zealand and FPP Programme.

Also in attendance were the Director International Relations SSP Ulaiasi Ravula and Deputy Director SP Ilaitia Caginavanua.