Police Commissioner, Ben Groenewald has resigned from his position and RFMF Land Force Commander, Colonel Sitiveni Qiliho has been appointed as Acting Police Commissioner.

A government statement says for personal and family reasons, Groenewald has submitted written notification for an early release from his contractual appointment as the Commissioner of the Fiji Police Force with effect from today (Tuesday). 

Following advice from the Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama as the Chair of the Constitutional Offices Commission, President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau has appointed Colonel Sitiveni Qiliho as the Acting Commissioner of the Fiji Police Force with effect from tomorrow (Wednesday) for a period of three months or when a substantive appointment is made to the position of the Commissioner of the Fiji Police Force.

The government confirms that a draft advertisement for the position of the Commissioner of Police has been circulated to the members of the Constitutional Offices Commission.

Upon finalisation of the advertisement, the position will be advertised.

The statement says the President has thanked Groenewald for his service as the Commissioner of the Fiji Police Force and wished him all the best in his future endeavours.

We have just spoken to Groenewald and he says he is not taking any calls.

Yesterday he had told Fijivillage that he was going to meet the Minister for Defence, Timoci Natuva to explain why the three police officers charged in relation to the Iowane Benedito assault case were suspended without pay.

He later confirmed that the meeting did not take place yesterday and he would meet the Minister today.

Earlier this afternoon, Groenewald said he was in meetings on some urgent matters and did not have time to speak.

However Groenewald has spoken to Pacific Beat saying the decision was reached by mutual consent with the government and his decision is indirectly to do with what he says is interference with policing.

When we called Groenewald, he said he will not say anything further on matters highlighted in his interview.