No Place For Politics Here, Tudravu Tells
206 undergo training; including six from Tuvalu Police Service.
The Fiji Police Force is no place for political talks, says Acting Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu.
While opening the Basic Recruits Course at the Fiji Police Academy in Nasova yesterday, ACP Tudravu reminded the officers to respect the Government of the day.
“Our allegiance is to the commissioner and the Government of the day, not to any politics,” he said. “Government changes, but the Fiji Police Force maintains its roles and functions under the act on the Constitution. “Whichever government that comes in, the Fiji Police Force will serve that government. Leave the political masters to their talking. If you are wearing that blue uniform, your job is to serve your government.
“If we hear speculations of political talks here, this is not the place for it.”
Batch 2 of 2018 involves 206 officers undergoing the training, which includes six officers from the Tuvalu Police Service and 200 are Fijian Police officers, with 51 females and 149 males. Mr Tudravu advised the officers to take policing as a calling rather than a job. He said officers needed to realise that policing was a noble job and a 24/7 service to the community. “Don’t take this opportunity for granted. There are thousands out there looking for job opportunities, I want to re-emphasise this. When you are given the chance, hold it dearly because there are other people who are waiting outside. If you cannot perform to the expectations of the organisation, the door is open for you,” he said.
He also reminded them that they have a dedicated life of service and service came first before any other special events like Christmas. “Your uniform does not make you immune to the law, your job is important, sometimes temper will come up. When you are caught up in such challenges, breathe some air,” he said.
ACP Tudravu also acknowledged the hardworking officers who were in operations during the elections.