POLICE officers will have to sacrifice drinking yaqona, alcohol and smoking cigarettes next month as the force enters its month of wellness in May.
Commissioner of Police Brigadier General Ioane Naivalurua said during a meeting with women police officers in Labasa yesterday that the force would restrict consumption of grog, alcohol and smoking cigarettes next month.
In stressing the importance of having an outstanding character as a woman police officer, Brig-Gen Naivalurua told the women that he did not expect to see them drinking grog. "I don't expect to see female officers drinking grog or smoking in a public place or behaving in an unscrupulous manner," he said.
"Character plays a vital role in your life as a female officer. Your character determines who you are and what you do. Character is more than talk. Talent is a gift but character is a choice. Character brings lasting success and remember, people do not trust those whose character is known to be flawed," he added.
Brig-Gen Naivalurua also told the officers that character always determined whether a person finished well or not. "I don't expect female officers behaving in unscrupulous manner but I have seen them, I don't expect female officers breaking up families but I have seen that too.
"So if you are single, look for a single partner, not a married man in the force. Do not break up families of a married couple, that is a no for the force," Brig-Gen Naivalurua said.