Fiji media reports the acting commissioner of police, Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho, has confirmed he has applied for the permanent position.
While he could not confirm with RNZ International and declined to comment, the Fiji Sun reports he had submitted his application and wanted to take the force in a "new direction".
He has held the acting position since November, when the Police Commissioner Ben Groenewald resigned, citing interference by the military in police matters, among other factors.
Brigadier General Qiliho said he was concerned about police officers' pay and police funding in general, but said the force recently received 70 brand new vehicles after discussions with the Finance Minister, Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum.
Fiji police Photo: Facebook Fiji Police