Fddu evaluate achievements

The Fiji Detector Dog Unit's (FDDU) Police component met today to evaluate their achievements and to chart the way forward for the next operational period.

Opening the meeting was the Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations (ACP) Livai Driu who acnkowledged the enduring partnership between the Fiji Police Force and the New Zealand Police's respective K9 Units, dating back to the late 60s.

The Fiji Detector Dog Unit is an initiative, funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade through the New Zealand High Commission, Suva, Fiji Fiji Police Partnership Programme for the Development of General Patrol Dog capability.

Assistance through the New Zealand Police and New Zealand Customs has come in the form of the training of Police and Fiji Revenue and Customs Service handlers in New Zealand, supply of trained K9s, mentoring by NZP special advisors as well as ongoing consultations on the expansion of FDDU facilities around the country.

ACP Driu urged the joint working group to plan not only according to trends but anticipate the unexpected due to the unpredictable nature of transnational crime.

He adds the FDDU has consistently delivered through successful raids and arrests, and it is vita; to become more proactive, in order to protect Fiji from being a regional hub for drug trafficking and transnational organized crime networks.

The Assistant Commissioner for Operations assured the officers of the hierachy's continued support, noting the impact the FDDU has had through the collaborative approach amongst all agencies.

The planning meeting ends this afternoon.