Family of police officer who was stabbed to death cannot come to terms with his passing

The family of the 24-year-old police officer who was stabbed to death on Monday still cannot come to terms with his death as this week marks one year since the late Siuta Nuimataiwalu joined the Fiji Police Force.

Siuta's mother, Makereta Niumataiwalu says it still hurts having to lose her youngest son who always stood by her after the passing of her husband in 2007.

Niumataiwalu says Suita was very generous, respectful and hardworking and was very committed to his work.

She is calling on the Fiji Police Force to re-look at how they carry out operations because of the safety of their officers.

The police officer was stabbed several times while responding to a theft case and passed away at the Lautoka Hospital.

Niumataiwalu was deployed with a team of investigators to attend to a separate case in Buabua when another report was received regarding the suspect who was allegedly seen on top of the roof of a building in town.

Niumataiwalu managed to apprehend the suspect near the Churchill Park Grounds but he allegedly took out a kitchen knife and stabbed the officer several times.

The police officer was rushed to the Lautoka Hospital where he passed away.

It has since been confirmed that the suspect was produced in the Nadi Magistrates Court on Monday for a case of theft and was bailed out. The man also has three criminal cases pending in the Savusavu Magistrates Court.

Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho says the late officer has paid the ultimate price and in his eagerness to answer the call of duty acted swiftly to apprehend the suspect and had unfortunately left behind the necessary equipment and accessories of his baton and capsicum spray.

Qiliho says it's never easy to lose one of their own officers and has vowed not to let his death be in vain.