Mum thanks Police

When Inspector Reijeli Kunakata and Constable Vanaisa Dranivesi saw a man trying to wave down the police vehicle they were traveling in, they thought they were responding to another routine report.

Inspector Kunakata, who is the Raiwaqa Police Station Officer, and PC Dranivesi were delivering lunch packs to officers manning Polling centres in the Raiwaqa area, when they came across a man in distress shouting for help.

IP Kunakata said, "The only words he said, a woman is pregnant, and nothing else so we followed him to the home and it was a different situation altogether as there were people crowding the young mother as she was in labour.

Yes, it was a shock, but we had to remain calm as we were there to assist her, give birth, and then go from home to the police car and then transport her to the CWM Maternity Unit”.

“I’m a mother of three, and I’ve experienced giving birth, but having to deliver another woman’s baby is a different experience all together”.

IP Kunakata, who hails from Verata, Tailevu, says this was a first in her 22-year policing career.

“I’ve heard of similar situations faced by other officers, and this was the first for me, but I had to be brave because I was there at that moment and it was a life or death situation.

But it has been a joyous occasion as we were able to bring mother and baby safely to hospital”.

As for PC Dranivesi who hails from Maloku, Matuku, Lau, his initial reaction was one of shock.

“I was a bit scared at first, being it the first time seeing that.

I’m a father of two but have never seen the actual birth of my two children as I alway wait for my wife outside the maternity Unit”.

PC Dranivesi said he has a new found appreciation for women, “After today's experience, i really appreciate how brave women are and what they go through.

As police officers we are trained to respond to any situation and while our focus was on the Elections, we had to instantly switch into a different mindset, and this is a day I will never forget".

While the baby's mother has chosen not to reveal her identity, she thanked the two officers for their timely response.

She has also thanked those who assisted in the safe delivery of her baby boy.