Wednesday 13th November 2019
The National Federation Party says members of the Fiji Police Force should never be armed with taser guns or any other weapons that discharge force designed to kill people.
NFP President Pio Tikoduadua says Police Commissioner Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho is confused when suggesting that they are looking at the option of taser guns when “he himself admits that the weapon is dangerous and can take lives”.
“The Police Commissioner is rightly concerned that his officers should not be used as punching bags. In fact no person should ever be used as a punching bag by anyone. We only hope that the recent incidents are in no way linked to the numerous reports and incidents of violence against ordinary unsuspecting citizens by members of the security forces but purely lawlessness arising out of drunkenness”.
“But the fact remains that a well-trained force should be easily be able to defend itself from violent attacks. For police to be attacked by heavily intoxicated persons who are not even in a right frame of mind—let alone capable of exerting physicality over an able person, more so if its police officer”.
“Therefore it is surprising that police officers are initially unable to defend themselves from drunkards despite supposedly having in their possession batons and pepper sprays to fend off any attacks”.
“It is incomprehensible to see our officers patrolling the streets or trying to apprehend criminal elements armed with taser guns”.
“I only hope that this option is not arising out of the militarisation of the force or trying to make our force look like military police who I believe recently acquired anti-armour gear, the purchase of which I questioned during a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee of Foreign Affairs and Defence”.
“The Force should remain true to its motto of Salus populi – welfare of the people”.
Authorised by: -
Pio Tikoduadua
President