Thirty applications have been received for the role of Commissioner of Police, with four candidates being women.
The applications will be assessed by a selection panel that is yet to be appointed, which will evaluate the candidates and create a shortlist. The Constitutional Offices Commission (COC) will then review the panel’s report before making a recommendation to the President regarding the appointment.
The Police Commissioner’s position has been vacant since January 2023, following the suspension of Sitiveni Qiliho, with Juki Fong Chew acting in the role since then.
This announcement came during a meeting held by the COC today in Suva, where the commission also discussed potential candidates for the chairperson role of the Electoral Commission, a position recently vacated by Barbara Malimali, who had resigned to become the FICAC Commissioner.
The COC also approved the recommendations of an independent committee regarding the remuneration and allowances for individuals appointed to act in constitutional offices.