Don't ask for trips

Luke Rawalai
Thursday, September 27, 2012

ANY police officer who walks into the commissioner's office with a tabua to seek an overseas posting will be kicked out, says Police Commissioner Brigadier General Ioane Naivalurua.

He has also warned his officers not to use the purchase of their new homes as an excuse to take part in these missions.

"We have sent 1222 police officers to overseas missions and yet this is not reflected in the organisational performance," Brig-Gen Naivalurua said. "We need to send people who have a clear sense of purpose to overseas missions.

"When they return from these missions, we need to slot them within the appropriate departments of the organisation where their newly-acquired knowledge and skills would be applicable."

Brig-Gen Naivalurua said when he first started with the force, he noticed that the officers accepted a low standard of work.

He said people chosen for mission duties must be disciplined, have a clean service record and must pass the required fitness levels.

In addition, officers over the age of 50 would not be sent abroad accept at his discretion. "We need to be professional and fair when we are determining the conditions under which to send our personnel overseas," he added.