Courtesy Call

The Designate Military and Police Advisor at Fiji’s Mission to the United Nations in New York paid a courtesy call to the Commissioner of Police Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho this morning.

Lieutenant Colonel Neumi Vadewabuka will soon take up his new posting as Fiji’s defence attaché which involves the handling of peacekeeping matters for the Fiji Police Force and the Republic of Fiji Military Forces.

In line with Government's intent on growing bilateral relations, the Fiji Police conducts briefings to newly appointed diplomats on key aspects of policing being explored with the aim of strengthening relations with international policing jurisdictions and law enforcement agencies.

The Commissioner of Police Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho wished him well and reiterated the Fiji Police’s intent of expanding its United Nations footprints.

“The pandemic has affected our routine deployments, however at present we have officers serving in UN Police/RFMF missions as well as senior UN appointments”.

“We are also actively looking at increasing the participation of women Police officers and this was supported with a commitment made to host an all-female UN Selection Assistance and Assessment Team (SAAT) test in Fiji last year, and we are eager to tap into this opportunity again”.

The Commissioner of Police said the Fiji Police was also looking at enhancing its ability to expand its services under the United Nations banner to fellow Pacific law enforcement agencies.

“Through the Office of Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, we hope to engage in the various capacity building programs that will benefit Fiji and our Pacific partners”.

“Strengthening relations with the UN and affiliated nations is also a stepping stone for Pacific law enforcement agencies with Fiji being the hub of the Pacific our intent is to assist smaller island states”.

Lt. Col. Vadewabuka was accompanied by Mr Gene Bai, a Senior Official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Multilateral Bureau.