Persistence made it possible and age was no barrier, says Police Constable Jonetani Ratu.

Mr Ratu, 43, was the Baton of Honour recipient at the Fiji Police Force Basic Recruitment pass out parade at the Nasova, Nasese grounds last Friday.

He was among the 259 basic recruitment cadets who graduated to be Police Constables.

Originally from Lawai Village in Nadroga, he said he did not expect to be the Baton of Honour recipient, but was grateful that his hard work and diligence was honoured by the force.

“It was never an easy two months of basic recruitment training for us,” Mr Ratu said.

“At times I was on the verge of giving up and to leave Nasova, but, it was in those moments that I thought of the reason why I was here, and, that was to leave Nasova attaining what I was here for.

“The faces of my wife and three sons would flash before my eyes, giving me strength to endure all the challenges that we encountered during training.”

Mr Ratu joined the Fiji Police Force in 2010 as a Special Constable.

He is a former inside centre for the Nadroga Stallions team that won the Telecom Fiji Cup and the Sullivan-Farebrother Trophy in 2004.

“Sometimes when we get punished during training, it would be so harsh but that challenged us and gave us more reason to be persistent in the journey,” he said.

“It was not easy but it took persistence and hard work to be where we are today.”

Mr Ratu acknowledged the support of his family and comrades who helped him defy all the odds to successfully complete his two months training programme.

“My wife and my boys have been there all along, giving me words of encouragement and praying for me constantly. And to all my comrades, thank you for a bittersweet two months that will forever be etched in our hearts.”

Edited by Selita Bolanavanua

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