Seven new Fiji Police patrol dog teams have graduated in a notable first for New Zealand and our Pacific partners.
The graduation on Friday (13 October) marked the first time New Zealand Police has trained frontline patrol dogs for another country. It was also first graduation at the new Fiji Police Dog Unit facility, which was officially opened in April.
The seven dog teams will be deployed to the Western Division, Nadi and Lautoka regions, boosting Fiji Police’s frontline operational capabilities.
New Zealand-bred and newly qualified Fiji Police patrol dogs, from left: Fi, Hazza, Ngakau, Patrick, Scully, Storm and Wren.
Inspector Todd Southall, National Coordinator Police Dogs, says he was thrilled with the successful graduation.
The dogs and handlers trained at the New Zealand Police Dog Training Centre in Trentham, supported under New Zealand and Fiji Police’s Partnership Programme.
“They train at Trentham in Upper Hutt for eight weeks and then the rest of their training is completed back in Fiji under the watchful eye of Sergeant Wally Kopae who manages on-the-job training in Suva,” says Todd.
“It was a great day – it was good to attend and we are proud to be part of this achievement.”
Inspector Todd Southall and Sergeant Wally Kopae with the team outside the new Fiji Police Dog Unit. The handlers are, from left: PC Isikeli Bola (Fi); PC Maciu Temo (Ngakau); PC Aminio Koto (Storm); PC Valevatu Rabuku (Wren); CPL Jone Wainiqolo (Scully); PC Maciu Sevutabua (Patrick); and PC Michael Peter (Hazza).
Wally, OC of Invercargill/Southland Dog Section, is seconded to Fiji under the partnership programme. He was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the King’s Birthday honours this year.
Police has a close partnership with our Pacific neighbours, which extends to our roles with the Pacific Detector Dog Programme, and our commitment to increase safety across the Pacific.
Acting Deputy Commissioner of Fiji Police Sakeo Raikaci says the Police Dog Unit has grown in strength largely due to the support of its regional and international partners.
"I wish to acknowledge the New Zealand Government for their continued support. When it comes to the Fiji Police K9 and NZ K9,” he says. “It is more than a partnership, we are a family," he says.
Superintendent Glyn Rowland, New Zealand Police’s Senior Liaison Officer in the Pacific, congratulated the handlers for their hard work and perseverance, wishing them well in their new roles.