UN delegation conducts assessment of Fiji Police force facilities and capabilities

A United Nations delegation has been conducting an assessment and advisory visit of Fiji Police force facilities and capabilities.

The team is being led by Adam Smith from the UN’s Department of Peacekeeping Operations.

Smith says that the visit was a follow up on the pledge made by Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama to send more officers for UN missions.

He says that he was present when Fijian Prime Minister made the pledge and they were thrilled by the enthusiasm from Fiji to deploy more officers despite the size and limited resources.

The purpose of the assessment visit is for the team to inspect the facilities and capabilities in accordance with a mandatory process for all Police Contributing Countries to determine the viability of Fiji UN peacekeeping pledges.

The team witnessed a series of drills and scenarios enacted by the Formed Police Unit capabilities and potential Guard Unit at the Police Special Response Unit in Nasinu.

Smith says that it’s been a tremendous display of Fiji police capabilities from the FPU and they have been impressed with the tremendous enthusiasm shown with the training conducted so far.

They also visited the Forensics Unit and the CID HQ noting interests from the UN Police Divisions for potential deployment of Investigators and Forensics to assist in UN led investigations when required.