It was an emotional start to the 2019 Kontiki Finance Ltd Police IDC as a 24-year-old Police officer, Siuta Niumataiwalu was allegedly stabbed while arresting a suspect of an alleged theft case yesterday.

Police Commissioner, Sitiveni Qiliho, representatives of Kontiki Fiji Ltd, senior officers, and the other participating teams had a minute of silence for the officer who lost his life while on duty.

Qiliho says it is a sad day for the institution as they mourn the passing of a brave young officer while he was putting all his efforts on the line to protect and serve the people of Fiji.

He says the late officer paid the ultimate price and in his eagerness to answer the call of duty he acted swiftly to apprehend the suspect but unfortunately left behind the necessary equipment and accessories of his baton and capsicum spray.

Qiliho says the other two officers who had also pursued the suspect and witnessed the alleged incident will be receiving the necessary support.

The 2019 Kontiki Finance Police IDC Tournament has been dedicated to the late officer.