An unexplained drive and passion motivates Police officers, to go above and beyond the call of duty, even when their own lives are in harms way.

Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police (PICP) chair and Fiji’s Commissioner of Police Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho made these remarks at the 49th PICP Annual Conference at the Hilton Fiji Beach Resort and Spa in Denarau, Nadi, yesterday.

Brigadier-General Qiliho said the pandemic had placed additional stress on Police officers who were separated from their families and loved ones.

“We did not have the usual support systems when we needed it, as work and family bubbles kept us apart.”

“There were many lessons learnt, as it took a toll on our officers. As leaders it is our duty to ensure we have a workforce that is able to respond to the call of duty when needed.”

As the PICP chair, he said he witnessed collective efforts in partnership and law enforcement using existing internal mechanisms to ensure business continuity during the height of the pandemic.

“We may have been kept apart by our Pacific Ocean, but we remained connected, remained committed, remained loyal to our oath to serve and protect,” he said.

“We have led officers under our command through the unknown, through the unpredictable and through unfamiliar policing territories, by listening and learning from each other, a true essence of our Pacific way.”

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