Officers depart for UNMISS

Four Fijian Police officers will be departing for a tour of duty with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) today.

The four are Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Juki Fong Chew, Inspector Nandni Kissun, Inspector Osea Tunidau and Police Constable Kamal Deo Sharma.

Addressing the officers on the eve of their departure, the Commissioner of Police Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho reminded the officers that they were ambassadors representing Fiji, the Fiji Police Force and their respective families.

The Commissioner of Police said the four officers are going with the full support of the Fiji Police Force.

Two of the officers have prior experience serving in United Nations Mission while for Inspector Tunidau and PC Sharma, deployment to UNMISS will mark their first overseas mission.

For PC Sharma who is originally from Lekutu, having the opportunity to serve in a UN mission is a blessing.

Not only is it the 45-year old’s first mission but it's his first time travelling on a plane.

“I feel blessed to be given this opportunity and while it is my first time traveling on a plane, I look forward to the experience of serving in a new environment and learning”.

Meanwhile Internal Affairs officer Inspector Nandni Kissun says being the only woman in the contingent doesn’t faze her.

“I served under UNMIL and I believe while the policing environment will be different, my past experiences in will assist me in South Sudan”.

“Being the only woman doesn’t really worry me, because I feel like it’s just another day at work”.

Currently there are 10 Police Officers serving under UNMISS and UNISFA comprising of five women and five men.