A Fijian police officer who was studying abroad and scheduled to graduate later this month has passed away.
Acting Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu said the institution was saddened by the untimely loss of Inspector Elia Waqasoqo who was earmarked to take up senior managerial posts following his studies in Indonesia.
“We were shocked and saddened to receive the news of his passing and have been liaising closely with the family on funeral arrangements,” A/CP Tudravu said.
“His passing is a loss to the Fiji Police family and we acknowledge the support of the Indonesian government, the Indonesian Police, and the support officer at the Fiji Embassy during this difficult time for the late Inspector’s family and the institution.”
The late inspector was based at the Criminal Investigations Department’s Economic Crime Unit before he departed Fiji on September 5, 2019, for a year of study at Indonesia’s Sespimen Staff College in West Java.
In March 2020, the late officer completed the first half of his language studies course and was undergoing the second half of the course, and was scheduled to graduate later this month.
He died on October 1, 2020.
The medical autopsy findings have ruled the officer had suffered a heart attack and ruled out any link to the coronavirus.
The 44-year-old officer had undergone a series of selection processes in order to be selected into the Sespimen Staff College in West Java – an institution known to train and educate young and future leaders who are members of the ASEANAPOL as well as Australia and bilateral partners.
His body will arrive in the country this afternoon and will be escorted by members of the Force to his village in Bouma, Taveuni, where he will be accorded final funeral rites.
He is survived by his wife and six children.
