Police Commissioner Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho says there was no condemnation when Constable Siuta Niumataiwalu was killed late last month.

The head of the Fiji Police Force has questioned why critics of the police are silent when officers are physically attacked or threatened in their line of work.

Police Commissioner Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho says there was no condemnation when Constable Siuta Niumataiwalu was killed late last month.

“Sections of the media and society are always quick to speak out against police when we are accused of any brutality but in this case, ever since we lost Constable Siuta and all these incidents – nobody except the government has come out to speak in support of the police. Nobody whatsoever. Nobody sent us a condolence message, nobody thought about the poor policemen and women out there looking after them.”

Brigadier-General Qiliho questions whether this is an indication of the level of support that the Force has in the community.

He’s also confirmed that police are exploring the possibility of using taser guns with the assistance of the Australian Federal Police.

“We are looking at it. We are going through a meticulous study of things. We don’t want to use it and be accused of the loss of life because. The information coming in is encouraging.”

The Fiji Police Force is getting rid of batons as standard issue equipment because it’s considered inhumane and excessively violent.