TUVALU’S police force will be boosted by 10 newly graduated officers next week.
The officers – seven men and three women – completed a 16-week course at the Fiji Police Academy in the capital, Suva.
In a parade reviewed by Fijian Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, the Tuvaluan officers marched alongside 150 local police.
The officers joined a martial arts and physical fitness routine in which the Tuvalu and Fiji flags were displayed by a Fijian and Tuvaluan officer hoisted by their classmates on a tall pine pole.
Relatives of the Tuvaluan officers flew to Fiji to witness the passing out parade and graduation at the academy.
Tuvalu has around 150 officers based mainly on Funafuti with smaller units on outlying atolls.
The force also has a maritime element for coastal patrols and search and rescue. Its land units are responsible for law enforcement, Customs, prisons, and immigration.
Tuvaluan officers have participated in joint maritime operations with neighbouring countries patrols as well as providing officers for the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands .
