3 Fijians Join Cook Islands Police Force

Three Fijian men are the first set of Fijians to be re­cruited in the Cook Islands Police Service follow­ing their graduation last Friday.

They are Edwin Kotoiwasawasa from Vanuaso in Gau, Taniela Tikonakua from Tailevu and Jack Philip Ting from Vanua Levu.

Cook Islands Police Spokesperson Trevor Pitt confirmed that this was the first time Fijian nationals had been re­cruited into the service.

Mr Pitt said the three were now required to serve two years as Probationary Constables.

“Two of them are former Police officers and the third I believe has a security background,” he said.

“It is the first time for non-Cook Islanders, in fact, to be recruited and a reflection of how multicultural the Cook Islands has become over the past 20 years, or more.

“The Fiji community is probably our largest ethnic group of foreign nationals, and a vital part of our working popu­lation in a number of services, including Health, Educa­tion, Tourism, Trades and Construction, and now Police.”

He said Fiji had a long history of family ties in Cook Is­lands including the Patron of the Recruit Wing, Ratu Isoa Waka, who has lived on the island nearly all his life.

“The interest came from the Fijian recruits themselves and together with the outreach from the Police leadership, it made sense to be more inclusive in the approach to polic­ing for our general community.

“There is indeed encouragement to consider other na­tionals, particularly as there are advantages in working more closely with those groups, which are now clearly part of our social fabric.”

Mr Pitt said recruitment in the force was merit based and would always depend on whether candidates had what it takes.

“That goes for the negative as well as the positive, as residents from across the board of nationalities do engage with Police from time to time for various reasons.”

Fijian Association

Cook Islands Fijian community association President Ana Mataitini said the Fijian community joined the fami­lies of the three Fijian Policemen in celebrating their ac­complishments.

“On behalf of the Fijian people living and working in the Cook Islands, we congratulate our first ever Fijians who graduated on March 4, to join the Cook Islands Police,” Ms Matutine said.

“This is definitely an achievement and a great milestone that we will always remember for our Fijian members, and we join their families in celebrating their accomplish­ments and recognition of achieving such a milestone.”

She said it was indeed a proud moment for the Fijian community.

“They have paved the way for all Fijians, and we continue to contribute to the growth of the Cook Islands economy.

“This is an achievement for us as this also highlights the level of skills, competence and academic quali­fications that we Fijians possess that has been recognised in the global labour market.”