The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre is today calling for the immediate suspension of a senior Police Officer under investigation for alleged child rape however the Acting Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu has stated that he will await the decision of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Crisis Centre Coordinator, Shamima Ali has also raised concern how the same senior officer under investigation for such a serious crime, received a Fiji medal a few weeks ago.
Ali says the Police Gender Policy demands anyone under investigation for such allegations like child rape is to be suspended immediately.
When questioned by Fijivillage, Police spokesperson, Ana Naisoro says they can confirm that an investigation is being conducted by the CID, and once the file is compiled, it will be sent to the DPP for sanctioning.
Naisoro says the officer remains at work and a decision on disciplinary action will be made once the file is returned from the DPP’s Office.
Police have also not made any comments on how the officer received a medal when he is under investigation for alleged child rape.
Shamima Ali says the Women’s Crisis Centre is concerned about this situation especially when the government has made a clear and deep commitment to ending violence against women and girls. She says if law enforcement does not take this seriously and has double standards, how can survivors get justice.
Ali also asks what message is this sending out to other officers when during investigations the senior officer is also awarded a medal of Fiji.
She says they already have challenges in police responding to cases of rape and domestic violence.
Ali has also messaged the Acting Commissioner, Rusiate Tudravu, Chief Operations Officer, ACP Abdul Khan, the Prime Minister and Minister for Women regarding this issue.
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