DEPUTY Director of the Fiji Police’s Intelligence Bureau, Superintendent of Police Salanieta Saunitoga recently graduated from Sydney’s Macquarie University’s Master of Intelligence Program.
Originally from Nacamaki Village in Koro, SP Saunitoga acknowledged the support of the Commissioner of Police for allowing her to advance her policing career.
SP Saunitoga is also the Coordinator of the Fiji Police Women’s Network says she hopes her achievement will encourage other women officers.
“Since completing my secondary education at Gospel High School, I joined the Fiji Police Force straight out of high school and have been serving for over 26 years, so I don’t have have any tertiary education experience which made adjusting to University life at first, difficult,” SP Saunitoga said.
“The opportunity for me to advance my policing career is not only a professional achievement but a personal achievement as I never thought I’d be able to graduate with no previous tertiary level achievement, and while the 18month course was challenging, I wanted to prove to other women officers that anything is possible if you have the will to succeed,” he said.
The 18-month course in Sydney, Australia meant leaving her family for a long period of time which the mother of seven said was difficult, but she was however comforted with the knowledge that her family would benefit once she successfully completed her studies.
The Master of Intelligence Program’s area of studies included, History of Intelligence, Critical Thought Research Design, International Security, Terrorism, Cyber Terrorism and Information Warfare, Transnational Security, Information warfare in Fiji and the Pacific to name a few.
“At the age of 48 and juggling work and family, I know that it was not going to be easy to fit in studies as well, but I am thankful of having the support of my family and my comrades who have contributed to my success.”
