A career officer, who over the course of his service, is among highly qualified officers in the Fiji Police Force.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police Itendra Nair. He has a Master’s in Business Administration, a Bachelor’s Degree in Management and Information Systems, has done most courses offered to officers and has even spent 12 months in Quantico in the United States of America training with the Federal Bureau of Investigations.

Who is Mr Nair?

Originally from Ba in the Western Division, his father was a Fiji Sugar Corporation labourer and mother a domestic worker.

He studied at DAV Primary and then at Xavier College in Ba.

After secondary school, Mr Nair joined the Fiji Police Force in 1983. He also attained an FBI Management Course in Washington DC, US.

He got married in May 1987 and has three children. His son is studying Ph.D. in Public Health at Harvard University.

He got his first promotion after working as a Police Constable for 18 years.

He worked under 10 Police Commissioners and witnessed their styles of leadership, what they care for and how they manage the resources.

“I am not like others who would say it was an ambition or career choice,” he said.

“It never occurred to me to become a policeman. At that time and age, it was the first career that came at hand because when you come from a poor background, you don’t have options.

“The only option was which ever come first.”

Deputy Commissioner Nair said that once he got into the institution, he looked at how noble the profession was to serve mankind.

“That has kept me sticking to Policing,” he said.

“I started my own tertiary education journey while I was working as a Police officer.

“My passion for the job grew during the first years on it, then I realised what this job is about, looking at the mentors, rising up the organisation. There is no better job than serving mankind.

“I fell in love with policing and never left.”

Deputy Commissioner Nair said in 1987, a lot of people left the country, but his love for the country and the love for the job kept him here.

“It was my belief that a day will come this country will change,” he said.

“That was my hope in the country and the organisation that one day my children will have a better future.

“The country we belong to today is of diversity and inclusivity.

“If I am getting this position today, its thanks to the Government for looking at my ability and capability.

“It also shows that the minority groups have a future. It is a belief in the country, standing by and moving forward,” Deputy Commissioner Nair said.

Crime over the years

When asked how crime has changed during the years of his service, Deputy Commissioner Nair said anyone could be a victim of any crime.

He added great changes had taken place and a lot of laws created as well.

“Domestic violence during the early years of policing was under the general Penal Code,” he said.

“Today we have the protection for women and children and rights for spouse as well.

“I have covered a lot of major cases in my career which has given me various experiences and understanding in life.”

He said when the Police Commissioner told him that he was chosen to be the Deputy Commissioner: “It came to me as a surprise.”

“He has that trust, faith, and confidence in me and my leadership and it was truly a proud moment for me.

“I respected the decision and took it on as I had prepared myself academically and being a career police officer,” Deputy Commissioner Nair said.

FACTS ABOUT ITENDRA NAIR

Awards: 

• Fiji 50th Independence Anniversary
• Fiji Police Medal
• The United Nations Medal for service with the UNMISS in South Sudan
• Fiji Police Long Service Medal
• The United Nationals Medal for service with UNMIS in Sudan
• The United Nations Medal for service with UNAMID in Darfur/Sudan
• United Nations Medal for service with UNTAC in Cambodia

Countries worked in:

• United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia in 1993
• Kadugli/Sudan (Sector IV) (United Nations Mission In Sudan) from 2006 to 2007
• Darfur/Sudan (Sector South) (UN-African Union Mission in Darfur) from May 2008 to May 2009
• Juba/South Sudan (UNPOL Chief of Staff) from October 2013 to November 2015

Edited by Selita Rabuku

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