Women Inspector Savita retires

A 34-year journey inspired by her late father who believed in the power of community work ended yesterday, as Inspector Savita Dass said her final goodbye to her policing career.

Originally from Namara, Labasa, the soft spoken senior Inspector said she was ready to enjoy her retirement after spending the majority of her life serving others, a journey which began when she was just 19-years old.

“My father influenced my decision to become a Police officer as he was a member of the Namara/Batinikama Crime Prevention Committee and seeing how he was able to contribute to making our communities safer really inspired me”.

“My father brought me from Labasa to Nasova and my parents were my biggest supporters especially as I was the only sibling out of nine who decided to pursue a career in policing during a time where women in policing was fairly new”.

IP Dass became a member of the Force in 1986 and was one of eight women who marched in as new recruits.

She has served in various Units and Stations in the West and Southern Divisions as well as Headquarters.

The mother of two had an overseas mission stint in 2012 serving in the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands.

IP Dass says her life has always revolved around policing as she also found love in the Force after marrying her late husband whom she knew as a fellow school student in Labasa and later found themselves marching in together as young recruits in 1986.

IP Dass said girls and women should never doubt themselves as they are capable of achieving great things in life and hopes her story will inspire others.