IT was an emotional moment for the families of the six police officers who died in the Western Division early this year as they joined their fellow colleagues during the Police Remembrance Day parade at Lautoka yesterday.
Tears flowed as relatives and officers relived the memories of their fallen comrades during their special day.
Addressing the officers, sugar permanent secretary Lieutenant Colonel Manasa Vaniqi paid tribute to the fallen officers who served faithfully in the force until their death.
Lt-Col Vaniqi said the legacy of these fallen heroes would remain in the history of the Fiji Police Force and thanked the families for their support.
"To the families of the fallen police officers we share your pride in your loved ones as guardians, mentor, and role model to the country," he said.
"We reflect on those who had gone and celebrate the legacy that lives on in each and every man and woman who proudly wears the traditional police uniforms of white sulu, white skirt and black jacket. We honour them, their devotion to duty and their sacrifice."
Lt-Col Vaniqi said police officers shouldered a huge responsibility of maintaining peace and harmony in the country.
"Every nation and country on earth looks to their police force in times of trouble and in peace as a source of security, strength, encouragement and advice in dong business and safety in the normal tenure of existence.
"This places a huge responsibility on your shoulders as law enforcement agency of the government to ensure that public confidence and trust is securely maintained and sustained in the best interest of the country and its people.
"The Fiji Police Force is a difficult calling especially for one entrusted to place the safety and welfare of others before him and her own — and take life threatening risks in securing public safety, peace and order is a huge task and daunting challenge to this noble profession."