The Fiji Police Force held a remembrance event this weekend to honor the twenty-six members who lost their lives over the past year, with ceremonies taking place in Suva, Labasa, and Lautoka. Families of the deceased officers, who served across the Central, Eastern, Southern, and Headquarters Division, came together at the Nasova Police grounds to pay tribute to their dedication to the nation.
The Acting Commissioner of Police, Juki Fong Chew, officiated the Fiji Police Force 2024 Remembrance Day for the four police divisions. He expressed that returning to the location where many began their policing careers to commemorate the fallen was a poignant experience. 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.”
In his tribute to the families, the Acting Commissioner extended gratitude for their sacrifices, acknowledging the time shared with the officers that can never be reclaimed. He remarked on the missed occasions in the lives of these families as their loved ones fulfilled their duties. “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,” he emphasized.
As the Fiji Police Force approaches its 150th anniversary in 2024, the Acting Commissioner highlighted the significance of this milestone. “On October 10th, 2024, the Fiji Police Force will commemorate its 150th anniversary, or Sesqui-centennial celebrations. We have endured 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 as the organization adapts to a changing global and national criminal landscape. He stated, “While we cannot afford to constantly look back, 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.”
During the ceremony in Nasova, there was also a special acknowledgment of eighteen members who had lost their lives in the past year.