A family of POLICE officers
Retired Police Inspector Taito Waqavakatoga (middle) with daughter Diana Waqavakatoga and son Waisale Waqavakatoga following the Basic Police Recruitment passing-out parade at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori on July 16, 2020. Constables Diana and Waisale come from a long line of Police officers in the family.
Serving the Fiji Police Force seems to run in the Waqavakatoga family. This is after siblings, Constables Diana and Waisale Waqavakatoga, were the latest in the family to put on Police badges.
They were among Batch One of the 2020 Basic Recruits Course graduates, who received certificates yesterday, at the Fiji Police Medal Award Ceremony at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori.
Constable Diana Waqavakatoga, 27, said that her father, retired Inspector Taito Waqavakatoga, also served in the Police force. Her grandfather was also a Police officer, making her and her brother thirdgeneration Police officers.
“It has always been a passion to serve the Fijian public, that’s why my brother and I enlisted a year ago,” she said.
Their father said he couldn’t be more proud of his children.
“I appreciate their choices and if their mother was here she would have been proud too,” he said.
Speaking to the new graduates, Minister for Defence, National Security and Policing, Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Inia Seruiratu emphasised on the importance of providing quality service to the people of Fiji.
“The Fijian people are not easily impressed with gadgets and equipment or a new building – they are more impressed with a Police officer who is polite, courteous, attends to their complaints on time and is always available to help,” Mr Seruiratu said.
“You can have new Police stations and be the best equipped policing institution, but if service delivery is poor – then it’s of no use. Government is committed to equipping and resourcing the Fiji Police Force. But having new and modern equipment or new buildings will be a waste of money if the services provided to the people of Fiji, are of poor quality”.