The Fiji Police Force held a remembrance ceremony this weekend to honor the lives of twenty-six members who passed away over the past year, taking place in three locations: Suva, Labasa, and Lautoka. Families of the fallen officers from the Central, Eastern, Southern, and Headquarters Divisions gathered at the Nasova Police grounds to reflect on their service to the nation.
Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew officiated the Fiji Police Force 2024 Remembrance Day for the four policing divisions. He expressed that returning to the place where their policing careers began to honor their fallen colleagues was a bittersweet experience.
“It is here that we marked the beginning of our careers, and today, we gather to remember our comrades who have departed, cherishing their memories that will endure forever,” he stated.
The Acting Commissioner also acknowledged the families of the deceased officers, expressing gratitude for their sacrifices. “We thank you for willingly sharing your loved ones with us, time that can never be reclaimed. For this, we will always be grateful for your steadfast support of our careers,” he remarked.
He added, “Words and actions cannot replace the countless missed birthdays and milestones as your loved ones were called to duty. While we may say that we signed up for this, it is not something you, our families, agreed to.”
As the organization prepares for its 150th Anniversary, the Acting Commissioner noted that the Fiji Police Force will celebrate this milestone on October 10th, 2024. He reflected on how various historical periods have shaped the organization into what it is today.
“While we cannot continuously dwell on the past, wishing for things to be different as the global and national criminal landscape evolves, we must concentrate on the present and discover what improvements we can make as serving members of the Fiji Police Force. We cannot change history, but we can learn from it and commit to avoiding past mistakes,” he added.
During the ceremony in Nasova, eighteen members of the organization who lost their lives in the past year were also commemorated.