Malakai Bala proud to be the first Police Officer from Vatusekiyasawa village in Ra

It was a proud moment for Malakai Bala being the first person from Vatusekiyasawa village in Ra to join the Fiji Police Force today.

The 22-year-old says it was his father who always encouraged him to become a Police officer.

Bala says he found it challenging at first to adjust to the new environment, the early hours and rigorous training but he persevered.

Insert: Challenges faced at Home PM 15th Feb

The eldest of four siblings is among 203 recruits who graduated today from the Fiji Police Force Basic Recruits Course.

There were 147 male recruits and 50 female recruits.

Four male and two female Police officers from Tuvalu also graduated today.

While officiating at the pass out parade, Tuvalu Police Chief Luka Falefou told the new recruits that Fiji is not excluded from many of the serious crime trends and they must develop very high standard of courage and personal ability to make people respect, obey, follow and work together in combating future challenges.