Eight police officers in Fiji are facing serious criminal charges, including allegations of sexual assault and illicit drug possession, according to the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation.
The officers, aged between 25 and 51 are also accused of assault causing actual bodily harm, criminal intimidation and making off without payment.
Fiji police recorded that overall crime in the country was up 19 percent last month, compared to the same period last year.
Serious crime was up 10 percent in November compared to October, including rape, murder, aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery, burglary, arson and theft.
Fiji's drug problem continues to soar, with 214 reported drug cases last month.
Some 76 people from around the country were arrested last week alone for drug related offences.
Juki Fong Chew Photo: Fiji Police
The acting police commissioner, Juki Fong Chew, said the bulk of arrests were for unlawful possession of illicit drugs and the remainder for unlawful cultivation.
183 cases involved marijuana, 29 methamphetamine and two cocaine.
Crimes against women rose by 22 percent last month and serious crime by 10 percent, the FBC reported.
There were 217 crimes against women, with 80 percent assault and the remainder sexual offences.
The police said nearly all were committed in the home, where the perpetrator was a spouse or de-facto partner.
There were 101 crimes against children recorded, involving 52 boys and 49 girls, said the FBC.
Half of the cases involved assault, 40 percent sexual offences and the remainder were linked to other crimes.
-Fiji Broadcasting Coporation