There is no room for excuses when police fails to provide the service of protecting life and property.

Police Commissioner Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho said this to 130 Police recruits during their passing-out parade at Nasova yes­terday.

Of the 130 new recruiters 35 were female.

Brigadier-General Qiliho said their work as policemen is meas­ured by the people they serve and with all the support and resources provided by the Government.

“You are considered the newcom­ers and while you will receive the necessary support from your com­rades, the reception from members of the public may not be as under­standing, and you must be ready to accept this,” he told the parade.

“At times we have been crucified by the media and social media about how some of us have con­ducted their work,

He said negligence or laxity on the part of an officer not applying these processes is something he will not accept.

“Time will come when you have to make a crucial decision in the call of duty and it is imperative that the decision is made according to the law,” he said.

“We are not above the law and your uniform does not give you ab­solute power.

“If 20 of you leave, I can guarantee that another 100 will be putting up their hands for a chance to join the Fiji Police Force.”

He concluded saying as long as they are a member of the Fiji Po­lice Force and chose to don that uniform, they would not and shall not give up their calling towards the maintenance of law and order.

Members of the diplomatic corps, invited guests, family and friends witnessed yesterday’s passing-out parade.

Edited by Karalaini Waqanidrola

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