AT the Fiji Police Academy, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ilisapeci Tuvuki is quietly reshaping how leadership is taught within the force.
As head of school for leadership and management, her approach is informed not just by theory, but by more than two decades of service across the country.
She has been with the Fiji Police Force for 25 years and often reflects on a career that has taken her from frontline policing to strategic leadership.
“I have served in almost all branches of the organisation, except for intelligence,” ASP Tuvuki said.
ASP Tuvuki joined the Fiji Police Force in 2005, beginning her journey at the Nadi Police Station straight after recruitment.
“We were among the first group to establish border policing at Nadi Airport, under the leadership of ASP Makereta Ciri,” she said.
“There were only 11 of us, and it was a proud moment to be part of a team led by a woman.”
After two years in Nadi, she was transferred to Sigatoka, where she continued to build her operational experience.
In 2009 her career took a decisive turn when she was selected for police cadet training.
“I was fortunate to be drafted into the cadet training program. We trained for two years before being deployed back into divisions to apply what we had learned.
During that period, she earned her promotion to corporal, marking the beginning of her steady rise through the ranks.
A decade later, in 2019, she joined the Internal Affairs Unit, where her responsibilities shifted toward accountability and institutional integrity.
“At Internal Affairs, we handled investigations into complaints against officers and police services. It was challenging work, but it strengthened my understanding of professionalism and ethics,” she said.
Her performance saw her promoted to sergeant, serving as both investigator and administrator, before taking on roles as a staff officer within Internal Affairs and Professional Standards.
She later worked closely with Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Aporosa Lutunauga in planning, research and doctrine, roles that deepened her exposure to policy and strategic development.
Yet, despite these achievements, ASP Tuvuki recognised a gap between her academic training and her operational roles.
“I felt I wasn’t fully utilising the knowledge I had gained through my studies. So, I applied to move into Human Resources, where I had specialised.”
That decision proved pivotal.
Starting as an attaché, she transitioned into the Human Resources Unit, where she was later confirmed and promoted to Assistant Superintendent of Police.
As manager for Planning and Development, she began influencing workforce strategy before eventually taking up her current role at the academy.
Today, she is focused on modernising leadership training, drawing heavily on her experience and her academic background.
“So far, I’ve been making changes by aligning our programs with the leadership training I’ve received,” she said.
“It’s about preparing officers not just to serve, but to lead effectively.”
ASP Tuvuki holds a double major in Human Resource Management and Management from the University of the South Pacific.
She has also completed a postgraduate certificate and diploma in HRM and is currently working toward completing her master’s degree.
“I’m grateful the organisation has given me opportunities to further my education,” she said.
“Those experiences have shaped how I think and how I approach my work.”
Now in a position to influence the next generation of officers, she is a strong advocate for continuous learning within the force.
“I always encourage officers to take up courses or leadership training,” she said.
“It broadens their thinking and helps them see how they can better serve the organisation and the public better.”
From the frontlines of Nadi to the lecture rooms of the Fiji Police Academy, ASP Ilisapeci Tuvuki’s journey reflects not only personal determination, but a broader shift toward professional, educated leadership within the Fiji Police Force.
