A Memorandum of Understanding was formalised between the Fiji Police Force and Fiji Corrections Service today, consolidating and strengthening the two institutions' shared commitment to justice and security.
The signing of the MOU was held between the Fiji Police Force’s Acting Commissioner Juki Fong Chew and Fiji Corrections Services Commissioner Dr. Jalesi Nakarawa at Police Headquarters in Centerpoint, Laucala.
The nature of cooperation seeks to improve collaborative efforts through risk management, operations and compliance, intelligence and information sharing, people strategies, government arrangements, communication and legislative and policy change ensuring the requirements and objectives of the Corrections Service Act 2006 and its regulations, and the Police Act 1965 and its regulations and relevant laws are well understood and effectively implemented.
FCS Commissioner Dr. Jalesi Nakarawa in his address said, “We share a long history of collaboration as friendly forces. In fact, the Fiji Correction Service is built on the contribution of many former police officers, such as former Commissioner Aisea Taoka, who incidentally was my instructor during Police Recruit Course 1 of 1975.”
“This Memorandum of Understanding provides a formal foundation for our mutual efforts to promote, strengthen, and enhance the collaborative relationship between the Fiji Police Force and the Fiji Corrections Service. It is more than a formality, it embodies our shared commitment to working closely together for the betterment of our law and justice system.”
The MOU will also see enhanced collaboration in specialized fields through the provision of technical training assistance of the Fiji Police K9 Unit to FCS personnel, boosting joint operations efforts such as large scale searches or high risk-inmate transfers.
The MOU will also see the reintroduction of a FPF Liaison Officer at the FCS, serving as a point of contact between the FPF and the FCS.
In a bid to strengthen relationships and camaraderie between members of both institutions, a POLCOR Shield tournament is also embedded in the MOU whereby the two institutions will compete in a ruby tournament for male and female officers.
Fiji Police’s Acting Commissioner Juki Fong Chew echoed the FCS Commissioner’s sentiments stressing the importance of partnerships, acknowledging the enduring relationship that has existed between the two institutions for many decades.
A/CP Chew said the FPF looks forward to the next chapter of the working relationship now venturing into new fields that are expected to greatly enhance camraderie and networking amongst all members for many generations to come.