Police Constable found dead in Lami while on duty

A 24-year-old police consta­ble was found dead near a Lami beach on Sunday morning while on official duty, prompting a full-scale investiga­tion by the Fiji Police Force.

Constable Peniasi Racagi, based at the Lami Police Station, was discovered near the beach be­hind the Lami Oceania Wesley Church in the early hours of Sunday.

Initial findings at the scene sug­gest there may have been a strug­gle.

A button believed to be from his police uniform was recovered at the site, while several items - in­cluding his police accessory vest, beret and official identification badge - were reported missing.

Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu confirmed that the cir­cumstances surrounding the officer's death warrant a thorough investigation.

A post-mortem examination will determine the cause of death.

Police are now working to estab­lish whether Constable Racagi was involved in a confrontation while carrying out his duties.

The discovery has sent shock­waves through the force and the wider community.

His family said they were prepar­ing for the 100-night memorial of his late father when they received the devastating news.

"Right now, it feels like a nightmare - a dream we didn't want to be real," a relative said, who de­clined to give a name.

"He was always smiling and mak­ing people laugh. He was dedicated to his job.

"We were planning for his father's 100 nights next Saturday, and now he's gone."

Colleagues described him as re­served, hardworking and commit­ted to service.