The Fiji Police Force observed a solemn occasion this weekend, honoring the memory of twenty-six members who passed away in the last year. Ceremonies took place across three locations: Suva, Labasa, and Lautoka.
Families of the deceased officers, who served in the Central, Eastern, Southern, and Headquarters Divisions, gathered at the Nasova Police grounds to pay tribute to their contributions to the country.
The Acting Commissioner of Police, Juki Fong Chew, led the Fiji Police Force 2024 Remembrance Day for the four divisions. He reflected on the bittersweet experience of returning to the place where many began their policing careers to remember their fallen colleagues.
At the event, he stated, “It is on this ground that we marked the beginning of our careers, and today, we gather to remember our comrades who have left us, and celebrate their memories that will live on forever.”
The Acting Commissioner expressed gratitude to the families of the fallen officers, acknowledging their sacrifices and unwavering support. He remarked, “We thank you for selflessly sharing their time with us. Precious time that can never be recovered, and it is for that reason that we will forever be grateful for your unwavering support towards our careers.”
He also highlighted the challenges that come with a career in law enforcement, noting, “Words and deeds will never be able to replace the countless missed birthdays, the missed milestones, as duty beckoned your loved ones away from home. Some may say that it is part of what we signed up for as police officers. Yes, we did sign up for it, but it is not what you, our families, had signed up for.”
Looking ahead, the Acting Commissioner announced that the Fiji Police Force is preparing to celebrate its 150th anniversary on October 10th, 2024. He stated, “We have gone through many distinct periods in our nation’s history that have shaped who we are as an organization today.”
He emphasized the importance of focusing on the present and learning from the past, stating, “While we cannot afford to constantly look back, wishing and hoping that things were different, we must focus on the present, the today, the now, to see what we can do better as serving members of the Fiji Police Force. We cannot change the past, but we can learn from it, and commit not to repeat the mistakes of the past.”
Additionally, the ceremony in Nasova commemorated eighteen members of the organization who lost their lives over the past year.