Senior Fiji Policeman, Rusiate Tudravu, has resigned from the force.
Sources close to Tudravu say he cited personal reasons for his resignation, just over a week after the return of Police Commissioner, Brigadier Sitiveni Qiliho, from studies in the United Kingdom. Tudravu had been Acting Commissioner in Qiliho’s absence.
Fiji last had a local police commissioner promoted through the ranks in 1991.
Tudravu, 58, spent much of his career in intelligence and rose through the ranks before becoming acting Commissioner last year.
He was instrumental in the police response to COVID-19 security and had stressed the need for institutional strengthening at all levels.
The last career police officer to command the force was South African Ben Groenwald who was removed by Rear Admiral Frank Bainimarama after a stand-off with the military.
Josefa Lewaicei, who retired in 1991, was the last local police officer to hold the post of commissioner.
While several career police officers have acted as commissioner, none has been appointed to the substantive position since Lewaicei.
