ULAMILA Bogidrau enrolled into the Fiji Police Force basic recruitment course with an injured ankle.
However, she did not let this get in the way of achieving her dream to scoop the Baton of Honour last year.
The 33-year-old from Natogradravu Village, Nuku, Tailevu, faced numerous challenges in her life.
One of the big ones was when she captained the Fiji Volleyball team to the second round World Cup championships in Kazakhstan in 2017.
Encouragement to break barriers for the Baton of Honour — traditionally taken by male recruits — spurred Ms Bogidrau.
She was encouraged by one of the female non-commissioned officers at the beginning of the 16-week course.
“I had set a goal to try and achieve this special award,” she said.
“I was challenged by one of the female NCOs at the academy if I could, on behalf of all the female constables, to try and achieve that goal.
“Since most of the time it’s only the male constables who would receive awards so to actually achieve it is truly an honour.”
Ms Bogidrau said a lot of effort was put in to achieve the goal she had set.
“Dedication, hard work and sacrifices – this is what it took.”
“I actually came into the course with an injured ankle, however, this never stopped me. I persevered.
“The entire time I was thinking of my family, the people in my village and all the female officers and this award is dedicated to all of them.”
Ms Bogidrau said when she first learnt she was one of five short-listed for the award she could not get over it.
“I was so speechless, I was one of the five officers who was interviewed and to actually have my name called out during our rehearsal, I was honoured.”
She added her next goal was to participate in other courses offered by the force to better her skills as a police officer.
“In the future I hope to climb up the ranks to become a senior officer in the force.
“The Fiji Police Force is a male-dominated organisation and I want to change that, we are able to achieve anything if we set our minds to it.”
