enhancing maritime law enforcement

Efforts towards enhancing maritime law enforcement capabilities received a boost today following a meeting with the head of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Head of Maritime Crime Programme and the Fiji Police Force.

While the two institutions have collaborated through training and capacity building programs, today’s meeting with Ms Siri Bjune the Head of the UNODC Global Maritime Crime Programme and Mr Shanaka Jayasekara, Regional Programme Coordinator (Southeast Asia and the Pacific) and the Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police Sakeo Raikaci and senior officers, was an opportunity to discuss how to further enhance measures of addressing the complexities of maritime crimes.

Ms Bjjune said with Fiji earmarked as a center of excellence and the hub of the UNODC Global Maritime Program in the region, capacity and capability training will enhance efforts of countering illicit maritime activities in the region.

Ms Bjune added the UNODC in working with the Fiji Police and specifically the WATERPOL unit, is looking to enhance maritime crime investigation and maritime crime scene management, noting the unique challenges of maritime crime compared to crime on land.

The Acting Deputy Commissioner on behalf of the Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew, said any form of assistance in supporting efforts of strengthening maritime security is welcomed as the Pacific region is vulnerable to transnational crimes.