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Rabi Local and Fiji Police work closely

Fiji Police Force Tuesday, 17 August 2010 16:01

Visitors to the Island of Rabi can be confused at times due to the fact that there are two law enforcement units on the island, the Fiji Police Force and the Rabi Local Police who work closely together in enforcing law and maintaining peace on the island.
The Rabi Local Police was established on the 8th of October 1979 by the Banaban Settlement Act.

The normal work of the local police on the island is to look into private matters involving the welfare of the people on the island and to see that the Banaban Settlement Act is enforced within the island of Rabi. The Local Police in Rabi work closely with the personnel of the Fiji Police Force at the Rabi Police Post in arresting offenders at the island.

Officer in Charge at the Rabi Local Post, Mr. Tokitepa Tekea said the local police dealt with minor offences that are covered within the Banaban Settlement Act while grievous cases are forwarded to the Police Post just beside the Local Police Office. The minor cases are often dealt with at the local Banaban Magistrates Court of Rabi. The court and the local police both work under the administration of the Rabi Council.

It is interesting to see some of the offences covered under the Banaban Settlement Act that the Fiji Legislations do not recognize. An example is the offence of extra marital affairs which the Banaban Act recognizes as an offense also under the Act on section 4 (1)(2) there is to be no dancing on the island on Sundays, Good Friday and Christmas Day.

Offenders are usually tried in the local Magistrates court and are handed down penalties of fines.

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Comment by Ken Sigrah on August 23, 2010 at 1:58pm: Act (1)(2)...no dancing on Sundays, Good Friday and Chrismas Day should be billed under the Christian settlement Act and NOT Banaban Settlement Act... our Act should be revised and be updated.. no wonder we are still in time zone of the past... might as well sanctify Saturday for SDAs and all other days for Muslims who prays everyday...cheers.