Constable's Career To End On High Note

With retirement less than a year away, Police Constable John Hunt Bainivanua thought his window of opportunity to be deployed for an overseas mission was coming to a close.

For the 54-year-old officer based at the Ba Police Station the opportunity given by the Fiji Police Force for a tour of duty under the United Nations Mission banner has been a dream as a Police officer.

“Watching all the officers leaving for UN missions, I always wondered if I would get the chance to serve in any mission, so when I received the news of my deployment for UNMISS, I was so grateful and gave thanks to the Almighty for answering my prayers as the years of sacrifice and patience have paid off,’’ PC Bainivanua said.

PC Bainivanua leaves the country today with Police Constable Edwin Raju for a year of duty with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

They will join 18 other Police officers who are already in South Sudan.

Farewelling the two officers on behalf of the Commissioner of Police was Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu, who said the hopes of thousands of other officers lay on everyone who were sent on a mission.

“Any report of indiscipline that can tarnish our reputation in the mission area can impact other’s chances of experiencing life as a blue beret,” Mr Tudravu said.

“Fiji’s proud peace keeping reputation goes back decades and many officers have been blessed to serve on missions which is why discipline will be vital as we continue to fly the Fiji flag proudly in these mission areas.”

For Police Constable Raju getting his opportunity to be deployed for a United Nations mission at the age of 32 is a blessing for his family.

Having served in Rakiraki for most of his young policing career the officer said he was looking forward to serving in a new environment.

49 Police officers are currently serving in six UN mission areas.

Feedback:  jyotip@fijisun.com.fj