THE Fiji Police Force is apolitical, says Police Commission Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho.
He said this in an interview with The Fiji Times after casting his ballot alongside his officers in the 2022 General Election at the Fiji police Academy at Nasova in Suva on Thursday when pre-polling was conducted there.
Earlier this week, Republic of Fiji Military Forces Commander Major General Ro Jone Kalouniwai encouraged his soldiers to vote “prayerfully and consciously” and respect the outcome of the 2022 general Election.
The Fiji Times asked Mr Qiliho whether he had done the same for officers of the Fiji Police Force.
Mr Qiliho said the Fiji Police Force was apolitical and this has been “stressed” in his weekly briefings.
“We are apolitical,” he said.
“We are here to look after the safety and security of Fijian citizens and that’s what we are called to do.
“We’ve said it all along that we are apolitical and that sends that message across.”
Mr Qiliho said this was “clear cut” in the Fiji Police Force code of ethics and he did not need to reiterate that.
“Like any good Police Force we won’t be drawn into political statements.
“We know where we stand and what we need to do and that’s always been like that.”
