Policy Division

The Division is responsible for all defence and security policy matters. It is headed by a Director who oversees all policy matters on Defence and Security.

The Director also heads the Ministry’s project committee which constitutes a project officer from the RFMF and membership from the Defence and Police Sections that administers the implementation of all major projects within the Ministry. For the current financial year, this includes the completion of the National War Memorial and the Relocation of the 3DP Suva Radio Station, Rescue Coordination Center [RCC] and the Fiji Hydrographic Services [FHS]. Furthermore, the director is also responsible for all major multilateral defence and security arrangements regionally and internationally of which Fiji is a signatory to.

There are three major sections within the division, the roles and responsibilities of these sections include:

Defence Section
The major responsibility of this section is to provide a coordinating role on policy matters that are relevant to the Republic of Fiji Military Forces [RFMF]. This is critical as the RFMF has a constitutional role as the last bastion of security internally and provides the platform for ensuring the maintenance of Fiji’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Section is responsible for:

• drafting of MOUs, MOAs, SOFAs and IAs, whether substantive as in establishment of formal defence relationships or temporary to cater for short term training and/or operational visits;
• facilitating Fiji’s peacekeeping initiatives through the office of the Military and Police Advisor [MPA] in New York; and
• overseeing our compliance to the various international obligations that impact on Defence, Security and Law & Order of which Fiji is a signatory to. These include Anti-Personnel Land Mines, Biological & Toxin Weapons, Chemical Weapons Conventions, Small Arms & Light Weapons and enabling United Nations Security Council Resolutions that are under the Disarmament affairs and International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).

The Defence Section has a Military Liaison Cell which consists of a Senior Military Liaison Officer and an Assistant Military Liaison Officer who are seconded from the RFMF. The Military Liaison Cell acts as the policy and administrative link to the RFMF on all matters pertaining to Defence.

Police Section
The section provides a coordinating role on policy matters that are relevant to the Fiji Police Force [FPF]. These include all admin and operational matters that require the attention and actions of the executive leadership of the Ministry and Government. Administrative matters in relation to new policing initiative require the participation of the executive leadership of the Ministry such as the new Crime Board initiative that also comes under the responsibility of the Police section. The provision of administrative support for the proposed police reform initiative will also be a critical output for the section in the current financial year. Furthermore, the Section:

• is responsible for all Search & Rescue matters;
• accommodates police cooperation matters which include the review of existing MOUs, implementation of new and existing Police MOUs, and the pursuance of new police bilateral relationships. These programs are focused on bringing the force up to par with international best practices and include capability and capacity building initiatives that will better prepare our police against evolving and emerging crimes and threats;
• is responsible for the administration and promotion of Policing initiatives such as the Police Ministers Meetings [PMM] and the Police Commissioner’s Conference [PCC] within the MSG; and
• is responsible for major initiatives such as the RPA and FPU.

National Security Section
The Section provides advice on the review and enactment of all national security related laws and policies.

The major responsibilities of the Section include:

• ensuring the effective administration of the Security Industry Act 2010 that regulates the private security industry in Fiji. This is critical as it ensures that the standards of the Industry are on par with Fiji’s security requirements and that all companies comply with the requirements of Fiji’s employment and financial requirements;
• all policy matters pertaining to Border Security, Maritime Security and Aviation Security. Important initiatives such as security and defence advice to the Maritime Affairs Coordination Committee [MACC] and the Aviation Security Committee [AVSEC] are key examples of the roles of the Section in this regard;
• ensuring the United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) relating to countering terrorism is reflected in relevant laws. This is achieved through consultations with relevant authorities under the Counter Terrorism Official Group (CTOG);
• overseeing compliance with all International Atomic Energy Agency [IAEA] requirements and is currently a member of Fiji’s [Integrated Nuclear Security Support Plan [INSSP] committee.

Event security is also under the purview of the National Security Section. The Section:

• coordinates security arrangements for international conferences, events and visits by foreign dignitaries;
• coordinates security of Government Building complex and; conduct assessments and provide clearances for importation of explosive and fireworks into the country.