For the first time, more women than men marched out in completion of their Tonga Police Residential Phase Training, yesterday 28 September.

Twenty-one women and 14 men started their journey in March this year, and graduated as Probation Constables of the ‘Fekitamoeloa ‘Utoikamanu Recruit Wing No. 51.

The graduation ceremony was held at the Longolongo Police HQ, where certificates were awarded by Tonga Police Commissioner, Shane McLennan. The Baton of Honour and Most Outstanding Member of the Wing was awarded to Probation Constable Toketa Prescott of Tufuvai ‘Eua, Olo’ua Vava’u, Kolomotu’a Tongatapu.

“Policing is an honourable, courageous, challenging, and often thankless job; but those of us who do this job, only know what it means to serve in this way,” said Police Commissioner McLennan.

“I hope and pray that you be safe throughout your duties to protect lives and properties, to keep the peace and to serve your communities in any way that you are called upon to do.”

The Commissioner said that 2023 is an exciting time for Tonga Police They are utilizing technology to further develop and professionalize their capacity to fight against organized crime and cybercrimes.

The training of Police recruits is in two phases. A six-month residential phase and an 18-month field phase. During the residential phase, recruits carry out classroom-based learning in addition to building their physical fitness. The next phase will be the workplace attachment, where they need to apply and put into practice the knowledge gained in the past six months.

Upon the completion of their two-year probation period, graduates will receive a Diploma in General Policing to qualify as Police Constables.

Attending the program were  members of the Diplomatic Corps, Australian and New Zealand In- country Senior Police Advisors, government officials, senior Police members, families, and friends of the ‘Fekitamoeloa ‘Utoikamanu’ Recruit Wing No. 51, named for their patron, a Tongan Cabinet Minister.

Top Students

• Most Outstanding Member - Toketa Prescott (Baton of Honour)
• Best Leader and conduct - Toketa Prescott
• Besti in "Family Free of Violence" Training - Tupou Vaea Sa'ili
• Best Shooter - Pauline Satini
•  Best in Outdoor Training - ‘Ahasi Moala La'akulu
• Best in Indoor Training- Reina Heimuli
• Best in other activity (Fana Polo)- Tied: Pauline Satini and Grace Finau

List of recruits
1. Sione Faka’ii
2. Sione Tonga
3. ’Ahasi Lakulu
4. Malia Ngungutau
5. Kelekolio Tapueluelu
6. Reina Heimuli
7. Niu Tangimana
8. Mele Pulupaki
9. Siulolo Vaiangina
10. Vika Similai
11. Heimoana Tauvaka
12. Lesieli Faha’ivalu
13. Cindy Hefa
14. Cicilia Leao
15. Asi Lalakai
16. ‘Aleso Lui
17. ‘Alolua Fetu’u
18. Toketa Prescott
19. Uate Ngahe Vave
20. Pou’uli Fatai
21. Mele Similai
22. Holeva Tuipua
23. Salote Namoe Jr
24. Lavinia Pohiva
25. ’Uia Tatafu
26. Pauline Satini
27. Grace Finau
28. Kalotia Mafi
29. ‘Etuate Hasiata
30. Siaosi Tukia
31. Siosifa Tufui
32. Tesimani Tupa
33. Siosaia Tafea
34. Tupou Sa’ili
35. Vikatolia Toki