AFP-backed Fiji Police Uplift Project Gains Momentum with In-Country Support Teams

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) supported Fiji Police Uplift Project is continuing to gather pace, with training initiatives and in-country visits by AFP pillar support teams now underway in Suva.

An AFP delegation paid a courtesy call on Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu on Tuesday morning to better understand the strategic direction of the Uplift project, which is aimed at targeted institutional reforms to improve service delivery and help restore public confidence in policing.

Commissioner Tudravu acknowledged the progress made so far, particularly through capacity building initiatives and project management training delivered to Fiji Police Force (FPF) pillar heads and team members.

“The organisation appreciates the momentum in which the Uplift project has progressed,” Commissioner Tudravu said, noting the practical value of the training support being provided.

The Uplift programme is a strategic initiative focused on reforming the Fiji Police Force and enhancing operational effectiveness, with eight key pillars identified:

1. Strategy, Planning, Governance and Performance

2. Leadership and Training

3. Integrity and Ethics

4. Operational Capabilities (Proactive)

5. Operational Capabilities (Reactive)

6. Our People (Human Resources Capabilities)

7. Enabling Capabilities (ICT)

8. Communications

The visiting AFP delegation includes technical experts from Human Resources, Information Communications Technology, and Ethics and Integrity units. The team will work with their Fijian counterparts over the next two days to identify structured approaches to constraints faced by the organisation.

Commissioner Tudravu has requested the delegation to provide a detailed assessment of what approaches work best within the Fiji Police Force context, with an emphasis on ensuring reforms are long-term and sustainable.