The French Ambassador to Fiji paid a courtesy call to the Fiji Police Commissioner

The French Ambassador to Fiji His Excellency Mr Jean-Francois Fitou paid a courtesy call to the Commissioner of Police Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho at the Fiji Police Headquarters this morning re-affirming his country’s commitment in assisting Fiji in areas of security cooperation.

Ambassador Fitou was accorded a quarter guard ceremony of welcome and was given an overview brief of the Fiji Police Force and its operations both locally and overseas.

Having worked closely with Police during his tenure once as a Governor early on in his career, His Excellency said policing challenges are the same the world over as crime has no specific identity or nationality.

“A lot of crimes that we have like smuggling, drug trafficking, cyber criminalityis not Fijian, French, Chinese or American they are worldwide and that is why cooperation is much needed and I am here today among other things to improve relations with my country and Fiji”.

“We all need security, without it there is no freedom, no life, no business no women’s or children’s rights, security is critical. We will discuss about future cooperation because it is not only something Fiji deserves but the Fijian Police has a right to be included in the wider world”.

The Commissioner of Police Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho acknowledged the Ambassador’s support stating forging international cooperation with other countries and international law enforcement agencies being vigorously pursued by the institution.

“The criminal landscape as you rightly said is the same throughout the world but on different scales and we welcome your support in discussing ways of future cooperation regarding security”.

“Your Excellency, that is exactly where we want to take the Fiji Police Force and we are looking at more areas of cooperation and as we speak we are finalizing talks for our officers to undergo French language training which is useful on UN missions and later we can hopefully send officers to France and tap into areas where your country can provide training in niche capabilities that we can link up to”.