Policeman stands out in Canada

Fijian officer directs Vancouver traffic

IT is not surprising that Canadian pedestrians were rather confused to see a Fiji policeman on point duty in Vancouver in August, 1969.

The officer was police Sergeant Kalisiani Bolalailai Burewalu who was in Vancouver for a oneweek visit during a police exhibition.

During his visit, Sgt Burewalu was allowed to be on point duty with his Fiji police uniform on.

His uniform drew a lot attention as reported by The Fiji Times on Tuesday, August 19, 1969.

Sgt Burewalu’s white ‘skirt’ (sulu) stood out the most to pedestrians as he swiftly directed traffic in it.

“Quite a few people commented on my uniform ‘skirt’ and asked if I was from the Bahamas or Nigeria,” he told this newspaper.

This newspaper spoke to him after he returned from his visit.

He shared that he was selected to take part in a special police show in a large department store in connection with the city’s Police Appreciation Week.

An Italian police sergeant and a Japanese inspector also took part in the exhibition.

Sgt Burewalu, also known as Sgt Bola throughout the Fiji Police Force, returned with a fund of reminiscences about his trip and a couple of unusual souvenirs.

One of his mementoes is a Canadian Mountie’s full dress uniform, complete with the sergeant’s proper rank insignia and service stars.

This included a uniform, in addition to a pair of calf-high leather boots and the traditional broadbrimmed hat.

He was also presented with a gold medal by the mayor of Vancouver.

During his stay, the sergeant was interviewed by a Canadian newspaper and appeared on television.

He was also taken on a tour of Vancouver harbour in a police launch.

He described Canadian people as “very friendly and hospitable”.

The children were especially keen to meet him.

He was kept busy signing hundreds of autographs for the crowds of schoolchildren who visited the police exhibition each day.

Quite a few people commented on my uniform ‘skirt’ and asked if I was from the Bahamas or Nigeria – Sergeant Kalisiani Bolalailai Burewalu

Picture: FILE Sergeant Kalisiani Bolalailai Burewalu with his mementoes, a Canadian Mountie’s full dress uniform, complete with the sergeant’s proper rank insignia and service stars and a pair of calf-high leather boots and the traditional broad-brimmed hat.