Some of the 17 officer cadets during the opening of the FCS Officer Cadet course in Naboro today.

History was created today for the Fiji Corrections Service with the commencement of the 12-month officer cadet course for 17 cadet officers.

The young men and women are the first batch to pass out as cadet officers of the FCS following an 11-week Basic Recruit Course with the RFMF.

Corrections Commissioner Lt. Col Ifereimi Vasu, in opening the course, said the day marked a significant development in the departments’ aspirations as it sees the importance of developing and breeding its own leaders.

Lt. Col Vasu said in joining the FCS, the officers have made a commitment to the country and themselves.

“You are here to develop the attributes, qualities and skills required of you to be an effective junior corrections officer.

“The first requirement of being a leader is to be honest with yourself. With leadership comes responsibility and accountability,” the cadets were told.

He said their role as junior leaders in the FCS will demand both physical and moral courage.

“The Corrections Academy will provide many opportunities for you to test and develop your courage on and off duty.

“By far, the more challenging is moral courage, the ability to stand up for what is right in difficult circumstances,” Lt. Col Vasu said.

The first six months of the course will be the Junior class while the remaining will be termed the Senior class.

The training programme will include theory as well as practical subjects that will equip the officer cadets as future leaders of the FCS. 

www.corrections.org.fj