FIJI Police constable Neumi Waqanokonoko has recently completed a six-week training in New Zealand with the support of the NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, New Zealand Police and New Zealand Customs.
PC Waqanokonoko is currently based at the Fiji Detector Dog Unit (FDDU) in Nadi and graduated with his canine companion Kaleb last week from the New Zealand Police Pacific Detector Dog Program.
Director International Relations Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ulaiasi Ravula said the news of PC Waqanokonoko’s graduation was greatly appreciated by the Commissioner of Police.
“We are grateful to our NZ counterparts for assisting Fiji and fellow Pacific law enforcement agencies step up security at our borders through such training opportunities,” SSP Ravula said.
“Our K9 capabilities have over the years intercepted millions of dollars of drugs not only at our borders but in the Divisions, as combatting drug trafficking and the illegal smuggling of arms and undeclared currencies is a focus area for policing,” he said.
SSP Ravula said the Fiji Police Force values the contribution of its K9 officers immensely and will continue to work with fellow NZ law enforcement agencies to help better secure Fiji and the Pacific borders fight transnational crime.
PC Waqanokonoko and Tongan Police Officer Constable Samuel Pekipaki were the only two Pacific officers who graduated from the NZ Pacific Detector Dog Program with their fellow NZ comrades.
The training is also in line with an existing working partnership with the Fiji Police, New Zealand Police and NZ Customs through the Pacific Detector Dog Program.
