THE gruesome discovery of the remains of what was believed to be a newborn baby near Nawaka, Nadi on Monday was shocking.
Police spokeswoman Ana Naisoro said crime scene investigators were deployed to the site where the remains were found.
It is when you look into the events surrounding the discovery, at least the bits that went out for public consumption that one is left with a deep sense of sadness and loss.
Ms Naisoro said people living near the site of the discovery called police when they saw dogs there with the remains of what appeared to be a newborn baby.
The incident will no doubt touch the minds and hearts of families, especially parents. As investigations continue into the incident, we are left with many questions.
On the other side of the divide, 95 new recruits are now undergoing the basic recruits course at the Police Academy in Nasova, Suva.
Yesterday they were reminded that policing was a profession that demanded service to the public. Acting Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu stressed this to the new recruits.
He spoke about their duty to serve people, reminding them that they were joining an institution which was centred on service.
Police work, he said, was a job with no standard working hours and would require officers to make sacrifices.
In the future, when they do become fully fledged officers, the work of the new recruits would entail such duties as that to investigate the gruesome discovery in Nadi.
Officers will, over the course of their careers, see such shocking scenes. They will be at the forefront of recovery work during natural disasters, and are expected to return to work during peak seasons of the year.
When we expect to enjoy ourselves during holidays, police officers are expected to be on duty, ensuring there is safety for us to be happy.
They have a job that is not for the faint-hearted. Given the frustrations and trying scenarios our lawmen and women are expected to work under, there is a great need for a very special kind of officer.
The force needs a solid foundation to build from. Policemen and women are reflections of society and they carry the hopes and aspirations of people who believe in law and order.
They are like beacons of hope, ensuring there is a balance in society and in our lives.
The challenge is on each new recruit, much like it is with regular members of the force, to do their best and to live up to the expectations of the people of Fiji.
