Tribunal Officers Key to Restoring Public Trust, Says A/ACP Sovalevu

The Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police (A/ACP) Internal Affairs and Professional Standards, Viliame Sovalevu, has called on senior officers to uphold the highest standards of integrity and accountability as Tribunal Officers, stressing their critical role in strengthening the Fiji Police Force’s internal disciplinary processes.

Speaking at the closing of the one-week Western Division Tribunal Officers Workshop, A/ACP Sovalevu emphasized the need for senior officers to effectively discharge their duties, describing them as “custodians of internal discipline” and central to the credibility of the organisation’s disciplinary system.

“This workshop has not been an academic exercise. It is a call to action,” he said. “As we navigate through the UPLIFT Reform Program—anchored on five strategic pillars including ethical leadership and professional accountability—the contribution of well-informed, confident, and committed tribunal officers becomes even more critical. If we are to restore public trust, we must first prove that we are capable of holding ourselves accountable.”

The workshop was designed to equip senior officers assigned as tribunal officers with the skills and knowledge to handle disciplinary matters with procedural fairness, sound case management, legal compliance, and professional integrity.

Supported by the Australian Federal Police, the UPLIFT Reform Program aims to drive meaningful reforms within the Fiji Police Force, with a strong focus on rebuilding public trust and confidence in law enforcement.