The Fiji Police Force held a ceremony this weekend to honor the memories of twenty-six of its members who passed away over the past year, with events taking place in Suva, Labasa, and Lautoka. Families of the deceased officers, who served in various divisions including Central, Eastern, Southern, and Headquarters, gathered at the Nasova Police grounds to reflect on their service to the nation.
Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew led the 2024 Remembrance Day ceremony for the four policing divisions. He expressed the mixed emotions of returning to the site where many commenced their policing careers while paying tribute to their fallen colleagues. “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,” he stated.
In his address, the Acting Commissioner thanked the families of the fallen officers for their sacrifices, acknowledging the lost time that can never be retrieved. He remarked on the toll taken on families by their loved ones’ commitments, stating, “While we did sign up for it, it is not what you, our families, had signed up for.”
Looking ahead to the future, the Acting Commissioner noted the upcoming 150th anniversary of the Fiji Police Force, set for October 10, 2024. He emphasized the importance of learning from the past while addressing the evolving challenges in the global and national criminal landscape. “We cannot change the past, but we can learn from it, and commit, not to repeat the mistakes of the past,” he said.
During the ceremony at Nasova, eighteen members who lost their lives in the last year were specifically commemorated.