As part of the Fiji Police Force’s initiative of assisting fellow Pacific island police organizations, a Tuvaluan Police officer has completed a one-and-a-half-month attachment with the Fiji Police Forensic Science Services Unit based at Nasova.

Police Constable Ofati Vete underwent familiarization training on the discipline of forensic science services, on the job training on science investigation and was also able to look at how he can assist in developing the Tuvalu Police forensic services.

Director International Relations Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ulaiasi Ravula said the attachment was facilitated through the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police and PC Vete’s attachment with the Forensic Unit is one of the many forms of people to people exchange programs between Fiji Police Force and the Tuvalu Police Force.

The Fiji Police Force he says is committed to assisting Pacific neighbors and we have had Tuvaluan officers undergo training at the Fiji Police Academy in courses for investigations, intelligence and qualifying courses as well as the Basic Recruits Course”.

SSP Ravula said more Tuvaluan Police officers are expected to undergo training in Fiji while the exchange of knowledge and expertise between the two institutions will continue.

Last month, the head of the Fiji Police Force’s Forensic Pathology Unit Dr James Kalougivaki was in Tuvalu to assist Police in conducting the country’s first post-mortem examination following a request made to Commissioner of Police Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho for a medico-legal post mortem to be conducted on two victims of unnatural deaths.