Having undergone seven months of training together has forged a solid bond between strangers to make them close friends.
Fourteen police personnel who had started their career with the Fiji Police Force in 1982 reunited after 40 years in Makoi to reminisce and to simply catch up after four decades.
Happiness purely filled the room as these retired police friends gathered, with joy being sensed in the ambience complemented by laughter on told memories and puns.
It was a moment of reflection for these former policemen and woman as most of them have spent their careers serving the nation wholeheartedly as seen in the many years of service they have had in the force.
Also, saddened by the loss of a few, those who attended the reunion remembered the dedication and sacrifice those who have passed on have forewent in serving the nation. A few who attended the event were fortunate to have climbed up the ranks in the force to hold high positions before retiring, while others left the force for greener pastures.
As retirees, most of those who attended the event now have successful businesses and projects they have undertaken to keep them occupied during their senior days.
Former chief of intelligence and investigations, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Biu Matavou said the event was a simple get-together for the 1982 police batch.
“This was to reflect back on 40 years of service,” he said.
“We had invited one of our instructors during our training to be our guest for the day, Romanu Tikotikoca, who moved up the ranks to become Police Commissioner one time. “All of us joined the force together and we only had one woman in our batch.
Two others who joined us were from Tuvalu.
“Our recruitment training was the longest in the organisation as we spent seven months together.
“Today, we still hold the record for the longest to undergo training through the force since 1982.
“We were fortunate to have been part of the Queen’s Birthday parade in 1982 and be part of the General Election as well.” He said they were happy to be able to catch up and share their experiences after so many years in service.
“We wanted to also share our ideas as we have finally retired from the force and possibility look at ways to progress further into the future after retirement,” he said.
He said some of retirees have gone into farming as a business venture.
“We are here to look at things holistically and discuss our future plan for us and our families,” he said. Some of the personnel who were part of the batch after completing their training were stationed around the country and didn’t see their colleagues until the reunion.
“Some of us after the training had gone to the West and remained there for 40 years,” he said.
“It’s quite moving to be able to meet up again after a long time and we were given time to share about ourselves.
“It was moving for some of us because of the challenges we faced at the time. Some had chosen to retire when they were constables, some of us moved up the ranks to Assistant Commissioner, and I was fortunate to have been one of them. “For me, I had served almost ten commissioners and I’ve just retired last year.
“It’s good to see that the organisation has really progressed well over the years.” He said young policemen and women should always further their studies even after joining the force.
“My message to young police personnel it’s important to take up further studies,” he said.
“For me, I was in the organisation for 22 years before I went on to study law and returned with a law degree then got promoted. So studying allows oneself to grow.”
Paulini Naliva, who was the only female in the recruitment batch, said she felt emotional when she met up with her former colleagues.
A security officer with the United Nations, Ms Naliva said to be able to sit down and catch up with her friends meant a lot to her.
Out of the 40 personnel that were recruited in 1982, 11 have passed on.
