The second-largest cohort of locally trained police recruits celebrated their graduation with friends and family on May 18 at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College. (Photo: DANA KAMPA)

A cohort of 32 officers graduated from the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force recruit training, and members celebrated the accomplishment on May 18 at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College.

During a ceremony on the college’s lawn, community leaders thanked the recruits for their hard work and stressed the importance of wielding their newfound policing powers responsibly.

Recruits first demonstrated their skills in marching and weapon handling with a parade, followed by an inspection from Governor John Rankin and Police Commissioner Mark Collins.

After Ivor Frazer, a retired police inspector, welcomed friends and family to the celebration, the governor offered his compliments.

“Policing is not easy,” he said. “It involves bravery; it involves sometimes putting yourself in the face of danger to protect others; but it also involves the ability, equally — or I would say more importantly — to work with the community, to empathise with and support victims of crime … in achieving what we all want: a more safe and secure Virgin Islands.”

Mr. Rankin also thanked the trainers who offered their expertise in drills, the rules of evidence, weapons training, and persevering through tough times.

HLSCC programme

The recruits received their training through HLSCC’s Centre for Professional Development and Community Education.

Mr. Collins, HLSCC President Dr. Richard Georges, and Financial Investigation Agency Director Errol George joined Mr. Rankin in offering their congratulations and words of advice.

The commissioner predicted that the 32-member class, which is half men and half women, will produce multiple “exceptional” officers.

Mr. George, who served in the police force for 26 years, was the keynote speaker.

“The service of justice requires you to be impartial, open-minded, even-handed and professional in your interactions with the public, regardless of their social status,” he told the new officers. “It also requires you to respect your supervisors, the laws you are required to uphold, and the rights of individuals.”

He added that they should avoid passing judgement.

“Doing the job requires you to apprehend, arrest and report wrongdoers, but it is not your job to judge or convict them,” he said, adding, “Work to understand the people you will be policing.”

Awards

The graduates received awards for their abilities in evidence collection, physical fitness, discipline, leadership and more.

Two received special recognition. Nigel Nedd earned the award from the Community Policing Unit for being the most improved student. Danniaff Charles received both awards from community leader Celia Georges: the “Spanish for Law Enforcement Award” and the “Report Writing for Law Enforcement Award.”