From Oʻahu to Utah: Policing, Pacific values and purpose

Jennifer Faumuina leads some of America’s most demanding work - overseeing crime scene investigations and critical domestic violence programs - yet her journey into law enforcement began far from the mainland, in the tropical islands of Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi. Now a sergeant with the Utah Department of Public Safety, Jennifer brings Pacific values of service, family and community into a profession where calm leadership, clarity under pressure and everyday courage are essential. As one of only a handful of Pacific Islanders in a large US police force, she carries both responsibility and representation on her shoulders. In this episode of Stories From the Pacific, Jennifer shares how she found her path into policing, what it means to work at the intersection of justice and compassion, and why she views law enforcement not simply as a career — but as a profound commitment to protecting others. Listen to this episode on ABC Radio Australia with host Bobby Macumber.