It is clear that there will be no automatic renewal of the Police Commissioner's contract as the position has been advertised by the Secretary of the Constitutional Offices Commission and Acting Solicitor General, Sharvada Sharma.
This follows the expiry of Brigadier General Ioane Naivalurua's contract last month.
ACP Ravi Narayan is the current Acting Police Commissioner.
The preferred qualification for the Police Commissioner's post is that applicants must demonstrate the ability to think strategically and must be conscious of the Fiji Police Force's role perceived publicly and must be willing to work towards ensuring that the force is recognised as an accountable, transparent and a non-corrupt organisation.
A recognised university degree in a relevant field is desirable.
Higher qualifications would be an added advantage according to the vacancy that has been advertised.
It also states that under section 129 (6) of the 2013 constitution, the Commissioner is not subject to the direction or control by any other person or authority in relation to those matters, except the Minister responsible for the Police Force, Minister for Defence, who may from time to time issue general policy directions to the Commissioner.
If such a direction has been issued, the Commissioner of Police must act in accordance with it.
Applications close on the 25th of this month.
According to the constitution, during the transitional period the Prime Minister will recommend the name of the new Police Commissioner to the President for appointment.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
