Fiji's police commissioner has expressed concern that the powers of his office have been eroded over the years - with too much control taken over by bureaucrats in government offices.
The Fiji Times reports that Andrew Hughes has asked the minister for home affairs, Josefa Vosanibola, for an independent review of his constitutional independence.
Mr Hughes wants to cut red tape and bureaucracy, saying it has left over 30 senior positions in the force vacant - some for over a year.
Mr Hughes says to make matters worse, in the case of assistant commissioner vacancies, the selection committee excludes a senior police representative, to which he objects.
The commissioner says he must be allowed to have some say in the composition of his senior team.
He says the finance ministry regards the police as a line agency of the home affairs ministry, which is NOT on.
Mr Hughes says the Public Service Commission rules which govern the civil service should NOT universally and unquestionably apply to the police.
He says he cannot manage the force with half his assistant commissioner and several other senior positions vacant.
