Former Police officers living in the Eastern Division were hosted to a talanoa session by the Divisional Police Commander Eastern Senior Superintendent of Police SSP Maretino Qiolevu and his senior officers.

The meeting last Friday at the Nausori Catholic Parish Hall was a way to forge a new working relationship with former officers through the Duavata Community Policing initiative in the fight against crime.

“The Fiji Police has come a long way and once you were part of it and now it is our turn to hold the torch and while a lot of new things have taken place, the functions of the Police however remain the same,” SSP Qiolevu said.

“We want to engage with you, because of your experience as you have already done the hard yards, you’ve been through the mill, you are well versed with the community in the Eastern Division and we believe this would help the current serving officers.”

The Commissioner of Police, Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho, during the visit of the former Commissioner of Police, John Orme, in August this year, had revealed that he was trying to encourage more interactions with former police officers.

He told Mr Orme that he personally believed that an area that needed to be capitalised on was working with retired officers who could do so much to help in their work due to their wealth of experience and knowledge.

DPC Eastern SSP Qiolevu echoed the same sentiments during the meeting.

“The men and women serving in your division need you as a source of motivation when the going gets tough,” SSP Qiolevu said.

“Allow them to pick on your experience, line up to your discipline, wear the uniform with pride and perform their duty with integrity like you did during your time.”

Source: Police Media Cell

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