Twelve officers from the Fiji Police Force completed a four-day Video Recording Interview (VRI) Training programme supported by the New Zealand Police.

The training brought together officers from the Internal Affairs and Professional Standards Unit across the Force’s five policing divisions, as part of efforts to strengthen early access to justice through video-recorded interviews.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Internal Affairs and Professional Standards, Viliame Sovalevu, said the training enabled the department to record its investigative interviews on video, strengthening transparency and accountability in criminal investigations.

ACP Sovalevu reminded the graduates that the quality of their investigations reflected the integrity, credibility and professionalism of the Fiji Police Force.

He encouraged the officers to put their newly acquired skills into practice, demonstrate greater confidence in their investigative responsibilities and share their knowledge with colleagues in their respective divisions.

The digital video-recording equipment was provided to the Fiji Police Force by the New Zealand Government to support effective and transparent criminal procedures in line with international human rights standards.

ACP Sovalevu said the training would only be valuable if the knowledge gained translated into improved performance and professional conduct.