Funeral of Late Inspector Vakatalai

Hundreds gathered today to farewell the late Inspector Uate Vakatalai as he was laid to rest at the Draiba village burial grounds.

IP Vakatalai was called to eternal rest while serving as the Inspector of Operations at the Valelevu Police Station on the 14th of July.

A Police delegation led by the Assistant Commissioner of Police – Administration (ACP-A) Meli Sateki paid their last respects to the family of the late officer who was fondly remembered as a mentor and a quiet achiever.

Delivering the Police eulogy was his former Deputy Divisional Police Command South, Superintendent of Police (SP) Savenaca Vunisa, who said IP Vakatalai was an officer who stood out for his exceptional leadership skills.

SP Vunisa recalled when IP Vakatalai was appointed to lead an operation team during the COVID lockdown period, where his leadership skills stood out in his ability to command his team through the difficult period in isolation and away from their families.

SP Vunisa said, the late IP Vakatali was a quiet achiever and he spoke mostly through his work which resulted in his promotion to the rank of Inspector.

IP Vakatalai joined the Fiji Police Force as a Special Constable on the 2nd of June 1996 and was enlisted as a member of the Regular Force on the 1st of January 2010.

He was promoted to Corporal in 2018, and in 2020 was promoted to Sergeant and later promoted to Inspector in 2022.

The late officer had served in the Police Mobile Force, the Levuka and Lakeba Police Stations, the Southern Division Command Centre and was the Inspector of Operations Valelevu Police Station at the time of his death.

In the discipline of Hapkido, IP Vakatalai had graduated with a Red Dan, Black Belt First and Second Dan.

He had also completed a Hostile Control Tactics and Certificate in Boat and Sea Safety/Maritime Awareness Training.

The late officer is survived by his five children.

May his soul rest in eternal peace.