New Police recruits challenged to uphold law; integrity of Force and serve public

We congratulate the 149 new Fiji Police Force recruits who graduated last Friday.
They went through six months of intensive training in both classroom and outdoor activities.
They have been trained both theoretically and practically in the last six months on basic policing which includes: Introduction to the Fiji Police Force, Professionalism in Policing, Communication and Customer Service, Leadership, Station Duties and Administration, Police Operations, Criminal Laws, Acts, Decrees and Regulations, as well as in the techniques of Investigations and Community Policing.
With this training much is expected from them to deliver the best service wherever they will be required to work. They will be assigned to serve the community in different divisions and formations. Many will carry out duties in fighting crime and protecting people.
As new members of the Fiji Police Force family they will be required to uphold the integrity of the Force.
At all times they should be professional in serving the people and the public.
They have been reminded by the Minister for Defence, Joketani Cokanasiga, that there is continued growing demand from the community for better service by the Fiji Police Force. They will therefore be in the frontline of policing and they will be the ones expected to be providing this quality service.
They should heed the minister’s reminder to them that “Nowadays, in addition to taking up the role of a law enforcer, a police officer may be called upon to perform as a first-aider, social worker, counsellor, negotiator and even mid-wife as the situation demands.” Therefore, they must be versatile and be prepared to serve the community in all kinds of emergencies.
It is a fact that they will be facing many challenges but they should know that they have been trained to tackle these challenges.
They should be reminded of this quote – “The policeman isn’t there to create disorder; the policeman is there to preserve order.”
MAIKA BOLATIKI
Feedback: maikab@fijisun.com.fj