Police Constable Sanil Kumar is no stranger to the legal field after joining the Police Prosecution Department in 2009, five years after he joined the Fiji Police Force.

That is where his dream to become a lawyer was born after prosecuting criminal cases in the Magistrates Court and observing lawyers in action.

On Friday, Constable Kumar was joined by 19 other University of Fiji law graduates to be admitted to the bar as a legal practitioner. A journey he started in 2012 and completed this year with his Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice.

The lanky Police officer who was born and bred in Korotari Settlement in Labasa credits his success to his late father, mother, wife, three children as well as his work colleagues.

Although it took him nine years to achieve his law degree the thought of giving up never crossed his mind as he is the sole breadwinner of his family.

Juggling work with studies was not smooth sailing as he had to miss classes at times and take breaks from studies due to the demanding nature of his work and work load. An experience, he said he never regrets and termed as a “good challenge” for him.

“I faced a lot of challenges during the nine years that it took for me to complete my degree, most times I did not have enough time to prepare for exams but I sacrificed my nights to burn the midnight oil and complete my assignments,” he said.

“I also had to make time to spend with my family. I would like to thank my superiors for assisting me and always being accommodating to my requests. With good, considerate leaders we can do anything.”

Now that he is a qualified lawyer, Constable Kumar wants to utilise his legal skills to serve the Fiji Police Force.

Edited by Caroline Ratucadra

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