Fiji Corrections Service purchases gas guns

The Fiji Corrections Service has now purchased gas guns for its Emergency Control Unit based in Naboro.

The Emergency Control Unit has more than 40 officers manning its operations.

The gas guns were tested by the Fiji Corrections Service in Naboro yesterday.

Assistant Commissioner for Operations Jo Kulinidilo says the guns were replacements of anti‑riot equipment that had been ordered and delivered last year but were faulty.

Kulinidilo says this is for abnormal situations while waiting for reinforcements from the police.

He says they cannot predict what will happen.

Kulinidilo says while they do not want to create a negative impression of possessing the gas guns, they have a protocol in place and they will only use them in emergency situations.

He says they have experienced riots in the past and this is the reason behind the establishment of the Emergency Control Unit.

There have been a number of riots and prison breakouts in the past.

This has been a major concern and steps have now been taken to ensure that these incidents do not reoccur.