Former Police Commissioner Andrew Hughes passes away

Former Police Commissioner of Fiji Andrew Hughes, has died aged 62.

Radio NZ reports Hughes died in Cairns, Australia after suffering from bowel cancer.

Hughes was a high‑ranking officer with the Australian Federal Police when he took up the appointment in Fiji.

He later worked at the United Nations in New York as police adviser for peacekeeping operations, responsible for 12,500 police peacekeepers deployed from 100 countries to 18 peace missions around the world.

In 2007 Hughes was awarded the Australian Police Medal for distinguished service in the international arena.