Andrew Hughes (police)
Encyclopedia
Andrew 'Andy' Hughes is a senior officer of the Australian Federal Police
(AFP) who, until recently, served as the Chief Police Officer (CPO) for the Australian Capital Territory
(ACT). The CPO position is similar to the role of Australian Commissioners of Police, that is, the chief executive of the ACT Policing component of the AFP. ACT Policing forms one of the larger operating components of Australia's national policing agency, the Australian Federal Police.
On 9 August 2007, Ban-Ki Moon, the Secretary General of the United Nations announced Andrew Hughes' appointment as Police Advisor to the UN. This role places Hughes at the head of UN Police Peacekeeping.
Previously, Hughes was the Commissioner of Police
of Fiji having held that appointment between 2003 and 2006. Hughes' family left Fiji after the police received threats relating to the security of his family (wife, Vicki, and sons, Callum and Jake). Hughes followed soon after.
Under the Fijian constitution
, the office of Police Commissioner need not be held by a citizen, and in the wake of the Fiji coup of 2000
, in which the elected government of Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry
was deposed, it was thought that a non-citizen would be better able to present an image of fairness and impartiality in the prosecution of coup-related cases
. His predecessor, Isikia Savua
, had been accused by the former President, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara
, of complicity in it. Ratu Sir Kamisese resigned (allegedly under pressure from the Military and police) in the midst of the coup.
Since 2003, Hughes vigorously pursued investigations against high-profile citizens in connection with the events of 2000. His targets have included chiefs
and politicians, including some government Ministers
. His relationship with the government was at times strained, and he periodically clashed with the Home Affairs Minister, Josefa Vosanibola
. His areas of disagreement with the government included the controversial Reconciliation, Tolerance, and Unity Bill
, which proposed to establish a Commission empowered to compensate victims and pardon perpetrators of the coup; Hughes expressed serious reservations about the amnesty
provisions. He also opposed government attempts to cap expenditure by the police and the Military
. He was once widely regarded as an ally of the Military Commander, Commodore
Frank Bainimarama
, but relations between them deteriorated in 2006 to the point where Bainimarama demanded his resignation in November.
The AFP nominated Hughes for the role of Fiji Commissioner of Police following a request by the Fijian Constitutional Officers Committee. Prior to that appointment, Hughes served as an Assistant Commissioner of the AFP, holding the position of Deputy Chief Police Officer of the Australian Capital Territory
. Prior to this appointment, Hughes was the General Manager of International and Federal Operations.
Hughes announced on 16 February 2006 that with his term due to expire in 2007, he would stay on if requested. Otherwise, there were four senior officers, all Fiji citizens, who were qualified to succeed him, Fiji Television
quoted him as saying. On 22 March, Prime Minister
Laisenia Qarase
told Radio Sargam, which is affiliated to the Fiji Village
news service, that he hoped Hughes would stay on. "I would be the first person to support the continuation of his contract because he has done an excellent job and on top of that he hasn't finished the job, he's done a lot but there's still a lot to be done. I'd like to see the same person carrying on to complete what he intends to do. It is all to the best interest of Fiji and the population," Qarase said. "Looking at our recent past it may be best for Fiji to continue with an expatriate Police Commissioner," he added.
which deposed the government on 5 December 2006. The next day, according to the Fiji Live
news service, the military junta announced that it had dismissed Hughes from office, citing "dereliction of duty".
On 29 January 2007, the Fijian Military prevented the possible sale of a launch owned by Hughes. Maintenance personnel hired by Hughes were also prevented from attending to the craft, berthed at the Royal Suva Yacht Club. The Military ordered an inquiry into the vessel. http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=56043
Australian Federal Police
The Australian Federal Police is the federal police agency of the Commonwealth of Australia. Although the AFP was created by the amalgamation in 1979 of three Commonwealth law enforcement agencies, it traces its history from Commonwealth law enforcement agencies dating back to the federation of...
(AFP) who, until recently, served as the Chief Police Officer (CPO) for the Australian Capital Territory
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory, often abbreviated ACT, is the capital territory of the Commonwealth of Australia and is the smallest self-governing internal territory...
(ACT). The CPO position is similar to the role of Australian Commissioners of Police, that is, the chief executive of the ACT Policing component of the AFP. ACT Policing forms one of the larger operating components of Australia's national policing agency, the Australian Federal Police.
On 9 August 2007, Ban-Ki Moon, the Secretary General of the United Nations announced Andrew Hughes' appointment as Police Advisor to the UN. This role places Hughes at the head of UN Police Peacekeeping.
Previously, Hughes was the Commissioner of Police
Commissioner of Police (Fiji)
Fiji has a unified national police force, the Fiji Police, whose motto is Salus Populi.The Fijian Commissioner of Police title had been held by Australian police officer Andrew Hughes since 2003 but after the 2006 takeover of the Government the post has been reserved for a local.The Commissioner is...
of Fiji having held that appointment between 2003 and 2006. Hughes' family left Fiji after the police received threats relating to the security of his family (wife, Vicki, and sons, Callum and Jake). Hughes followed soon after.
Under the Fijian constitution
Constitution of Fiji
The 1997 Constitution of Fiji was the supreme law of Fiji from its adoption in 1997 until 2009 when President Josefa Iloilo purported to abrogate it. It was also suspended for a period following the 2000 coup d'état led by Commodore Frank Bainimarama....
, the office of Police Commissioner need not be held by a citizen, and in the wake of the Fiji coup of 2000
Fiji coup of 2000
The Fiji coup of 2000 was a complicated affair involving a civilian putsch by hardline Fijian nationalists against the elected government of a non-native Prime Minister, Mahendra Chaudhry, on 19 May 2000, the attempt by President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara to assert executive authority on 27 May, and...
, in which the elected government of Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry
Mahendra Chaudhry
Mahendra Pal Chaudhry is a Fijian politician and the leader of the Fiji Labour Party...
was deposed, it was thought that a non-citizen would be better able to present an image of fairness and impartiality in the prosecution of coup-related cases
Investigations since the Fiji coup of 2000
A number of separate, but overlapping, investigations have been conducted by the police into various aspects of the 2000 coup. Some of these investigations are ongoing. These investigations include the organization and financing of the coup, and the identity of the perpetrators...
. His predecessor, Isikia Savua
Isikia Savua
Isikia Rabici Savua was a senior Fijian diplomat, who had a distinguished career in the Military and police forces before taking up his last post as Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations on 4 March 2003.- Career :Savua spent 18 years in the Fijian army, which he joined on...
, had been accused by the former President, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara
Kamisese Mara
Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, CF, GCMG, KBE is considered the founding father of the modern nation of Fiji. He was Chief Minister from 1967 to 1970, when Fiji gained its independence from the United Kingdom, and, apart from one brief interruption in 1987, the first Prime Minister from 1970 to 1992...
, of complicity in it. Ratu Sir Kamisese resigned (allegedly under pressure from the Military and police) in the midst of the coup.
Since 2003, Hughes vigorously pursued investigations against high-profile citizens in connection with the events of 2000. His targets have included chiefs
Ratu
Ratu is a title used by Fijians of chiefly rank. An equivalent title, Adi is used by females of chiefly rank.-Etymology:Ra is a prefix in many titles and Tu is simply "chief"...
and politicians, including some government Ministers
Cabinet (Fiji)
Fiji has the Westminster system - executive authority is vested nominally in a President, but exercised in practice by a Cabinet of Ministers, presided over by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is formally appointed, but not chosen, by the President: the President must appoint as Prime...
. His relationship with the government was at times strained, and he periodically clashed with the Home Affairs Minister, Josefa Vosanibola
Josefa Vosanibola
Josefa Bole Vosanibola is a Fijian politician, who has served as Minister for Home Affairs since 16 December 2004, when he was appointed by Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase to succeed Joketani Cokanasiga...
. His areas of disagreement with the government included the controversial Reconciliation, Tolerance, and Unity Bill
Reconciliation and Unity Commission (Fiji)
The Reconciliation and Unity Commission is a proposed government body to be set up if the Reconciliation, Tolerance, and Unity Bill, which was introduced into the Fijian Parliament on 4 May 2005 is passed...
, which proposed to establish a Commission empowered to compensate victims and pardon perpetrators of the coup; Hughes expressed serious reservations about the amnesty
Amnesty
Amnesty is a legislative or executive act by which a state restores those who may have been guilty of an offense against it to the positions of innocent people, without changing the laws defining the offense. It includes more than pardon, in as much as it obliterates all legal remembrance of the...
provisions. He also opposed government attempts to cap expenditure by the police and the Military
Military of Fiji
The Republic of Fiji Military Forces are the military of the Pacific island nation of Fiji. With a total manpower of 3,500 active soldiers and 6,000 reservists, it is one of the smallest militaries in the world. However, most of its surrounding island nations have no militaries at all...
. He was once widely regarded as an ally of the Military Commander, Commodore
Commodore (rank)
Commodore is a military rank used in many navies that is superior to a navy captain, but below a rear admiral. Non-English-speaking nations often use the rank of flotilla admiral or counter admiral as an equivalent .It is often regarded as a one-star rank with a NATO code of OF-6, but is not always...
Frank Bainimarama
Frank Bainimarama
Commodore Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, CF, MSD, OStJ, Fijian Navy, known commonly as Frank Bainimarama and sometimes by the chiefly title Ratu , is a Fijian naval officer and politician. He is the Commander of the Fijian Military Forces and, as of April 2009, Prime Minister...
, but relations between them deteriorated in 2006 to the point where Bainimarama demanded his resignation in November.
The AFP nominated Hughes for the role of Fiji Commissioner of Police following a request by the Fijian Constitutional Officers Committee. Prior to that appointment, Hughes served as an Assistant Commissioner of the AFP, holding the position of Deputy Chief Police Officer of the Australian Capital Territory
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory, often abbreviated ACT, is the capital territory of the Commonwealth of Australia and is the smallest self-governing internal territory...
. Prior to this appointment, Hughes was the General Manager of International and Federal Operations.
Hughes announced on 16 February 2006 that with his term due to expire in 2007, he would stay on if requested. Otherwise, there were four senior officers, all Fiji citizens, who were qualified to succeed him, Fiji Television
Fiji Television
Fiji Television Limited is Fiji's television network. It was founded on 15 June 1994 as the first permanent television broadcasting network in the country, although television had previously been introduced temporarily in October 1991 to broadcast the Rugby World Cup as well as Cricket World Cup....
quoted him as saying. On 22 March, Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Fiji
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji is the head of government of Fiji. The Prime Minister was appointed by the President under the terms of the now-suspended 1997 constitution....
Laisenia Qarase
Laisenia Qarase
Laisenia Qarase is a Fijian political figure. He served as the sixth Prime Minister of Fiji from 2000 to 2006. After the military quashed the coup that led to the removal of Mahendra Chaudhry, Qarase joined the Interim Military Government as a financial adviser on 9 June 2000, until his appointment...
told Radio Sargam, which is affiliated to the Fiji Village
Fiji Village
The Fiji Village is an online news service in Fiji. Published daily, it covers political, business, sporting, cultural, and other news items, and also includes the Yellow Bucket commentary, an editorial which does not necessarily reflect the views of the Fiji Village owners or staff, according to...
news service, that he hoped Hughes would stay on. "I would be the first person to support the continuation of his contract because he has done an excellent job and on top of that he hasn't finished the job, he's done a lot but there's still a lot to be done. I'd like to see the same person carrying on to complete what he intends to do. It is all to the best interest of Fiji and the population," Qarase said. "Looking at our recent past it may be best for Fiji to continue with an expatriate Police Commissioner," he added.
The 2006 coup d'état
Hughes criticised the Fijian military throughout the later part of 2006, as the already-strained relations between the government and the military deteriorated further. The military demanded that he be sacked by the Government. Qarase promised on 30 November 2006 to take the military's concerns into account when deciding whether to renew his position. http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,20848041-5005961,00.html This and other concessions failed to prevent the military coup2006 Fijian coup d'état
The Fijian coup d'état of December 2006 occurred as a continuation of the pressure which had been building since the military unrest of the 2000 Fijian coup d'état and 2005-2006 Fijian political crisis....
which deposed the government on 5 December 2006. The next day, according to the Fiji Live
Fiji Live
Fijilive is an online newspaper and business and cultural directory in Fiji. The site is owned by the Future Group of Companies owned by Fiji entrepreneur Yashwant Gaunder....
news service, the military junta announced that it had dismissed Hughes from office, citing "dereliction of duty".
On 29 January 2007, the Fijian Military prevented the possible sale of a launch owned by Hughes. Maintenance personnel hired by Hughes were also prevented from attending to the craft, berthed at the Royal Suva Yacht Club. The Military ordered an inquiry into the vessel. http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=56043