POLICE VISITS RELIGIOUS LEADERS
The Fiji Police Force is again reaching out to religious leaders in a bid to tackle serious crimes.
The Acting Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu recently paid courtesy visits to the heads of the Methodist Church, Catholic Church, Fiji Muslim League and the Shree Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji.
The Acting Commissioner says to effectively tackle serious crimes the Fiji Police Force is of the view that religion can greatly assist crime prevention efforts.
“Sexual offences and drugs are our two biggest issues right now and we really need the help of the religious institutions to help us address the why factor”.
The Acting Commissioner was accompanied by Force Chaplain Superintendent of Police Rev. Waisale Tikowale, Chief Operations Officer ACP Abdul Khan, Director Community Policing SSP Bereta Naisua and Director Operations SSP Luke Cerenasiga.
All religious leaders re-affirmed their commitment to helping the Fiji Police Force in reaching out to its members.
The President of the Methodist Church Rev. Epineri Vakadewavosa said they were ready to assist with crime prevention efforts, adding Police were welcome to be part of ongoing programs run by the Church throughout Fiji.
He said the Church is equally concerned about the reports of drug related activities and has reassured the Acting Commissioner of their commitment to helping fight the war on drugs.
Similar sentiments were echoed by the executives of the Fiji Muslim League. President Mr Hafizud Dean Khan said their executives were concerned about the reports of drug activities and sexual offences.
Mr Khan said they work closely with members of the community all throughout Fiji and have well established sub-branches where Police were welcome to link up with the representatives in order to get to their members and their schools.
Shree Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji National Secretary Mr Vijendra Prakash and senior executives met with the Acting Commissioner of Police and senior officers at their office in Samabula. Mr Prakash said most of their members were actively involved in their respective community Crime Prevention Committees and called on Police to strengthen the groups already in existence.
He said while they support all efforts in fighting crime, the onus was on Police to maintain trust through effective and efficient delivery of service.
The Head of the Catholic Church in Fiji Archbishop Peter Loy Chong welcomed the move by Fiji Police to strengthen working relations between religious organisations.
Archbishop Loy Chong said it was only right for the two institutions to work together as there is a strong link between law enforcement and churches in that both institutions respond to human crisis.
He said there is a universal quest for meaning and order and in a crisis situation the two institutions of religion and law enforcement are often looked upon to help reset lives and the Catholic Church stands ready to assist. The Acting Commissioner is also expected to meet with other faith based organisations in the coming weeks.
