Police Constable Sidney Teroniza Faatasi believes that improving customer service in policing begins with something simple — a smile.
“Something as simple as greeting people with a warm smile when they enter the police station can make a big difference,” she said.
The 25-year-old from Funafuti Island, Tuvalu, was among 10 Tuvaluan recruits who passed out alongside 140 Fijian recruits from the Fiji Police Academy last week as part of Batch 69.
While many new officers leave training focused on law enforcement techniques and operational skills, PC Faatasi is equally passionate about strengthening the relationship between police officers and the communities they serve.
As she returns home, she hopes to share the lessons she has learned in Fiji with her colleagues, particularly in the area of public service and community engagement.
“I would like to help improve customer service and the way police officers serve members of the public and our communities,” she said.
Joining the police force was not always part of her life plan. As a student, she dreamed of becoming a lawyer. However, family responsibilities eventually steered her towards a different path.
“My main motivation was to support my family, especially my daughter, and to build a better future for myself,” she said.
The Fiji Police Academy marked her first professional training experience and the beginning of her policing career. Like many recruits, the journey was not without sacrifice.
For PC Faatasi, the greatest challenge was spending five months away from her loved ones.
“The biggest challenge was leaving my family back home for five months,” she said. “It was very difficult being away from them while I was here undergoing training.”
Despite the separation, she believes the experience was worth every hardship.
“The experience and knowledge I gained made those five months worthwhile.”
Among the many skills acquired during training, she said learning the proper procedures for arresting offenders stood out as one of the most valuable lessons.
She noted that while arrests are carried out in Tuvalu, some methods differ from those taught by the Fiji Police Force. She hopes to share that knowledge with fellow officers upon her return.
As she prepares to begin the next chapter of her career, PC Faatasi dedicates her achievement to the person who inspired her to persevere throughout training — her daughter, Aria.
With a new uniform, new skills and a commitment to serving others, she hopes to make a positive difference in policing back home.
