Recruit adds favourite uniform to collection
Iowane Koro Waqalevu Jnr was awarded the Baton of Honour during the Fiji Police Force passing out parade on Friday.
He previously at worked the Republic of the Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) and Fiji Correction Services.
Constable Waqalevu, 25, was always fascinated with the Police uniform and on Friday he donned it proudly.
He hails from Nasiriti Village in Nabobuco, Naitasiri, with maternal links to Niubasaga, Motoriki, Lomaiviti.
The Baton of Honour award is for the recruit constable who had been outstanding in all indoor and outdoor activities, as well as the theoretical and practical assessments of the course.
Waqalevu said he would ensure discipline was maintained throughout his career as a Police officer.
“From childhood whenever I saw Police officers wearing their ceremonial dress, I always admired the uniform they wore and today I am wearing that same uniform and I am proud of it,” Waqalevu said.
“Discipline has always been what I strive for. Moving from RFMF and corrections, they are at the tail end of the justice system, so I have always wanted to be on the front line.
He was in the Territorial Force (TF) division in the Sixth Infantry Regiment for a year and then joined the Fiji Corrections Service in 2017 until February 4 this year.
“The only challenge with the transition from Fiji Corrections Service is that I was ranked as a sergeant and now I am back as a private.”
Waqalevu dedicated his achievement to his family, especially his son.
“The strategy I used was the pencil concept, where you will be used, broken and sharpened but at the end of the day it will only make you stronger,” he said.
“I am the first in the family to be a Police officer. My parents were not surprised when I told them that I wanted to become one.
“They told me that I have a family to take care of. They saw how dedicated I was and they gave me their approval. I would not be here without their blessing.”