Police officers who fail to attend or pass a fitness test may be removed from the Force.

Police Commissioner Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho says a stern warning has been issued to police officers to undergo fitness tests.

The Police Commissioner has revealed 18 of his officers died last year as a result of health issues.

“Last year was a very sad year for the Fiji Police Force. We lost 18 of our police officers in 12 months and most of that 17 I can say were through NCD and this year I have already lost two and the third one yesterday morning. I have a few who are hospitalized with a serious condition and these were picked up in our health audit.”

The Police Chief says the health of police officers was an issue last year adding that fitness is an important component of policing.