The news of the tragic passing of the late Police Constable Siuta Tuqisi Niumataiwalu allegedly at the hands of a suspect of crime earlier this week was truly heartbreaking and I join other Fijians in mourning the passing of a true fallen hero.
As most of the nation slept on the fateful night of the 21st of October 2019, a brave young officer of the law was in pursuit of a suspect who had earlier in the day allegedly assaulted and robbed two individuals - unaware that it would be his last call of duty having paid the ultimate price of his life to serving his beloved nation.
The late PC Niumataiwalu's actions is a testament of his dedication to his calling, and his commitment towards the oath he swore to protect life and property - and in that moment his focus was on apprehending the suspect and not on his own personal safety which was very unfortunate as he had left behind the police accessories issued to him for his safety.
The heart that beats underneath the uniform of a police officer is one that beats for others, and PC Niumataiwalu's brave actions proved that his mission was to protect others from becoming victims of crime. His selfless act will never be forgotten.
I extend my heartfelt condolences to the late PC Niumataiwalu's mother and family for the loss of their beloved son and brother.
No words will ever bring back the late officer, but I do hope that they will find comfort in knowing that they nurtured a hero and loyal servant to Fiji. Their son's passing will not be in vain as he will forever be remembered a hero for many generations to come.
I understand that a lot of questions have been asked about the safety of our Police officers and while the Fiji Police Force remains an unarmed institution - Government has worked hard and will continue to equip officers with the necessary resources to be able to effectively conduct their work which includes the recent procurement of capsicum spray for all officers.
The work of a Police officer is not an easy one and as they forge on tirelessly day and night to keep our communities safe, often sacrificing time away from home and loved ones - they are often looked down on and criticized for the wayward ways of a handful of officers.
I urge Fijians to look beyond those few and see the thousands of other brave men and women who continue to put their lives on the line to ensure we are able to sleep peacefully at night.
I ask that we continue to support and work with them to fight crime.