Caption: Inspector Inoke Vosa and Superintendent Tuapati Volau ready to depart for 1 year tour of duty with RAMSI share a light moment during their farewell.Photo:SUPPLIED
By ANA NAISORO
Two police officers will fly out tomorrow as part of ongoing peace keeping mission duties undertaken by the Fiji Police Force.
Public and Media Relations Officer, Fiji Police
SP Tuapati Volau and Inspector Inoke Vosa will depart our shores tomorrow morning bound for the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) for a year of duty.
For the two officers the trip is special for many reasons. Firstly they are both originally from Moce in the Lau Group, related as cousins, and had both attended Primary school together from Classes 1 to 8 at Moce District before parting ways for their high school education.
SP Volau and IP Vosa were reunited when they joined the Fiji Police Force in 1979 and 1980 and have both served for 33 and 34 years respectively.
For SP Volau RAMSI will be his third mission having served in Namibia in 1989 and 2000 in Kosovo. However for his colleague IP Vosa leaving our shores tomorrow morning will not only mark his first mission but his first trip overseas.
“I’ve spent over 34 years in the Force and for 33 years remained in the Northern Division and I’ve never travelled overseas so this is special since it’s my first trip”.
“Having this opportunity to serve in a mission during my final year of service is an honour for me and my family”.
Meanwhile for the Duavata Community Policing National Coordinator SP Volau, the trip is equally memorable because he also marks his final year of service.
“Not only do I get the opportunity to make a difference to the lives of other communities but the chance to make that impact with someone so close to me is a rare opportunity”.
The Acting Commissioner of Police in farewelling the two officers said they should have no trouble settling in.
“Serving in the Pacific region is quite different from other mission areas due to the similarities in culture and tradition”.
“Between you is more than 60 years of service so the expertise and knowledge you will be taking with you should continue to reflect the Fiji Police Force in your new area of operation”.
The two officers will depart our shores today morning replacing the current two officers who have completed their year of duty with RAMSI.