SEVENTY five Police officers have successfully completed the Assessment for Mission Service Tests conducted by assessors from the United Nations Police Division Office.
Superintendent 2nd Class Mr Mao He from the UN Headquarters Police Division and Lieutenant Colonel Sudsawart Phonganong from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) conducted the weeklong assessment which consisted of a language assessment, driving Test and weapons handling and shooting test.
The two officers had the opportunity to meet with the Commissioner of Police Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho before they departed where the head of the Force requested a specialized training and Mission service test be conducted for women officers.
“Fiji is interested on deploying a full contingent of women officers and we would also work towards ensuring our women officers are ready to undergo the training if our proposal is considered”.
“Having a mentor such as the current UNMISS Commissioner Unaisi Vuniwaqa to look up to has really motivated our women to further their UN peacekeeping footprints and I will support their efforts towards the deployment of more women officers”.
Any police officer, nominated for service with the United Nations must meet minimum requirements, including professional experience, language skills, mission-specific skills, driving skills and firearms proficiency and once an officer passes he or she is cleared for 24 months for deployment with United Nations Police.
Brigadier General Qiliho said work is being done in earneest through Government to deploy Fiji’s first Formed Police Unit (FPU).
An FPU consists of Police Officers, trained and equipped to act as a cohesive unit capable of accomplishing policing tasks that individual Police Officers could not address and well-trained FPUs can operate even in “high-risk” environments.
“We have the Government’s support and will explore avenues through the UN and our networks to procure the resources needed fo fulfill our mission”.
