Frontline Police officers have dedicated their precious time and effort to serve Fijians during the current COVID-19 pandemic to ensure safety of all Fijians.

Constable Ashveer Chand is among the frontliners, who are based at the Lautoka Command Centre in the containment area known as the COVID-19 hot spot.

The 23-year-old has been serving in the Fiji Police Force for three years now.

Mr Chand said there were needs arising for the Police force during this unprecedented COVID -19 pandemic.

“As a frontliner, we adhere to the rules and regulations set by the Government and the Commissioner of Police, they instruct us to serve the public in a good manner. By policing the containment area / red flag area, there are checkpoints, where we monitor vehicle passes and passengers who come out of the checkpoint. We requesting the public abide the laws of COVID-19 restrictions and most importantly, pleading to members of the public to ‘please stay home’,” he said.

He said he faced a lot of challenges while working long hours and not getting enough breaks.

“Frontlining is a rewarding opportunity and also a sacrifice. This responsibility makes me work more than 15 hours in a day. I sometimes skip my lunch or dinner,” he said.

“We Police officers also don’t get to spend time with our families.”

He said he felt like a hero and proud for using his skills to serve the youth and senior citizens by protecting their lives.

“The training that I have completed at the Fiji Police Force has been a guide for me to safeguard Lautoka city and our beloved nation from this pandemic,” he said.

Mr Chand, while taking on the challenges at frontlining , gets inspired by his senior commanders and officers who urge him not to give up.

“Every little thing matters to us, like social distancing, no social gathering, wearing masks, setting up checkpoints to monitor movements during curfew hours.”

“The public is well aware of these protocols, even the small children are starting to know about the pandemic. But some of the wrong and negative actions from Fijians is influencing people not to practise what Government encourages us to follow,” he said.

He said Fijians needed to be reminded of the consequences of not doing the right thing.

“Raising awareness is very important for the Police officers. We have a mission to enforce public health orders, including quarantine, travel restrictions, security of health care, control crowds and most importantly, public education and risk communication,” he said

“It is important for us to make members of the public aware about how critical and deadly the pandemic is. To safeguard them from getting it and spreading the virus. People should understand how precautionary measures should be taken during such a situation and so awareness is a way to stop the virus.”

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