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'Don't worry with the critics'- Tamia N. Richards tells police recruits

- keynote speaker @ Inaugural Police Recruit Training’s Completion Exercise & Passing Out Parade
Senior Magistrate Tamia N. Richards made a very rare public appearance when she gave the keynote address at the Inaugural Police Recruit Training’s Completion Exercise and Passing Out Parade on the lawns of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) on July 30, 2015. Photo: VINO
Police Constable No. 285 Jermaine A. Brewley collected the Clarence Thomas Ltd Award for Most Disciplined Student. Photo: VINO
Police Constable No. 285 Jermaine A. Brewley collected the Clarence Thomas Ltd Award for Most Disciplined Student. Photo: VINO
Police Constable No. 278 Shenelca A. Francis (centre) received the C. Alexis Charles Award for Best at Evidence. Photo: VINO
Police Constable No. 278 Shenelca A. Francis (centre) received the C. Alexis Charles Award for Best at Evidence. Photo: VINO
Police Constable No. 286 Jason Dunkley (centre) received the BDO Ltd Award for Best at Physical Training and the Reynell Frazer Award for Best Shot. Photo: VINO
Police Constable No. 286 Jason Dunkley (centre) received the BDO Ltd Award for Best at Physical Training and the Reynell Frazer Award for Best Shot. Photo: VINO
From left: Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith, First Lady Lorna G. Smith and Commissioner of Police David Morris at the Police Recruit Passing Out Ceremony on July 30, 2015. Photo: VINO
From left: Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith, First Lady Lorna G. Smith and Commissioner of Police David Morris at the Police Recruit Passing Out Ceremony on July 30, 2015. Photo: VINO
From left: Territorial At Large Representative Hon Archibald C. Christian, Second District Representative Hon Melvin 'Mitch' Turnbull and former Premier of the Virgin Islands and retired legislator Hon Ralph T. O'Neal OBE. Photo: VINO
From left: Territorial At Large Representative Hon Archibald C. Christian, Second District Representative Hon Melvin 'Mitch' Turnbull and former Premier of the Virgin Islands and retired legislator Hon Ralph T. O'Neal OBE. Photo: VINO
Police Recruit Training Course No. 001, commenced training on February 16, 2015 and concluded on July 30, 2015. Photo: VINO
Police Recruit Training Course No. 001, commenced training on February 16, 2015 and concluded on July 30, 2015. Photo: VINO
Police Constable No. 283 Marizsta A. Sergeant (flanked by Commissioner David Morris and HLSCC President Dr Karl Dawson) received the Burkes Garage Award for Best at Police Subjects, Vernon E. Malone Award for Best Recruit, President’s Award for Excellence to the Best Recruit, and an award for Best Recruit at Baton Honour. Photo: VINO
Police Constable No. 283 Marizsta A. Sergeant (flanked by Commissioner David Morris and HLSCC President Dr Karl Dawson) received the Burkes Garage Award for Best at Police Subjects, Vernon E. Malone Award for Best Recruit, President’s Award for Excellence to the Best Recruit, and an award for Best Recruit at Baton Honour. Photo: VINO
Some 13 recruits earned the historic distinction of being the first locally trained officers in the Virgin Islands. Previously, recruits were sent to Barbados to be trained. Photo: VINO
Some 13 recruits earned the historic distinction of being the first locally trained officers in the Virgin Islands. Previously, recruits were sent to Barbados to be trained. Photo: VINO
Commissioner of Police David Morris inspects Police Constable No. 276 Rolando A. Codner. Photo: VINO
Commissioner of Police David Morris inspects Police Constable No. 276 Rolando A. Codner. Photo: VINO
Police Constable No. 276 Rolando A. Codner received the Roy Stoutt Award for Best Drill and the Johan Brown Sr (RPTC Course 92) Memorial Award for Most Improved Student. Photo: VINO
Police Constable No. 276 Rolando A. Codner received the Roy Stoutt Award for Best Drill and the Johan Brown Sr (RPTC Course 92) Memorial Award for Most Improved Student. Photo: VINO
PARAQUITA BAY, Tortola, VI- Senior Magistrate Tamia N. Richards made a rare public appearance when she gave the keynote address at the Inaugural Police Recruit Training’s Completion Exercise and Passing Out Parade on the lawns of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) at Paraquita Bay on July 30, 2015.

Some 13 recruits earned the distinction of being the first locally trained officers in the Virgin Islands. Previously, recruits were sent to Barbados to be trained.

Addressing the young officers after joking that the media was finally going to have fresh pictures of her since it was trying since 2011, Ms Richards said the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has been constantly seeking a few good men and women, however, very few answer and sometimes, unfortunately, the not so good answer.

She noted that the Virgin Islands community has changed and the RVIPF “is kept very busy by those intent on destroying ‘Natures Little Secret’, intent on turning her into our worst nightmare; whether these persons be the actual criminals themselves, their harbourers, well-wishers and supporters.”

Thankless job

The officers were also told they were becoming part of the second most thankless job in the world.

Noting that there could be much debate about which is the most thankless job in the world, Ms Richards said members of the Government of the day and those of the Judiciary that deal with criminal matters have some of the most thankless jobs “as it seems no matter how good your intentions are you always find yourself on the wrong end of criticism.”

“Let me be the first to warn you that if you are the personality that needs to win friends and influence people, have an excessive desire to be liked and accepted, policing is not for you. Trust me. Where your policing duties are concerned, where upholding the law and your oath are concerned, you and your mother, you and your best friend, you and your significant other will fall out like teeth and tongue.

“Expect that their opinion of what you ought to do as an officer will conflict with what you have been instructed. Everyone will know how to do your job better than you. You will have to learn how to manage those conflicts.”

Be of integrity

Ms Richards shared that she always stands her ground on what she considers right as compromising her integrity is not an option.

The officers were also told that the time has passed when policing in the VI was seen as a “lazy man do nothing job” and that the community expects them to be hardworking and bursting with integrity, respect and humility.

“I am not perfect by any means but, in stepping out into the forefront and taking the role that I currently have, I made a decision to be the change in this territory that I would like to see.

“Even though on the blogs everyone does not quite agree with the change, however, change takes time. People don’t like change so I would press on continuing with the woman in the mirror. Be the change that you would like to see.”

History created

Through the collaboration of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) with the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), for the first time in the history of the VI, persons interested in a career as a police officer can now do so locally.

This monumental endeavour, formally referred to as Police Recruit Training Course No. 001, commenced training on February 16, 2015 and concluded on July 30, 2015.

The course comprised of four core subjects in Law Enforcement Theory and Practice 1. These courses were scrutinised, and refined in accordance with established policies and practices for Law Enforcement Training within the framework of higher education qualifications at HLSCC. Supportive subjects for the training were: Swimming; Physical Fitness; Firearms Training; Drill Exercises; Research Methods and Spanish for Law Enforcement.

According to Governor John S. Duncan OBE, this is an historic occasion for the territory because it is the first time its police officers are able to complete their training without travelling to Barbados.

“This in turn saves the Government funds by not incurring travel costs for the officers. Also, this is a joint venture between the RVIPF and HLSCC which means that the recruits are certified at the college level and, in addition, opens the door for other countries to send their recruits to the VI to be trained.

Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith charged the young officers with the responsibility of finding innovative ways of engaging the public to enhance further the relationship between the police and the community.

Commissioner of Police David Morris said Recruit Course No. 01 of 2015 is the first step in hopefully establishing a Multi-Agency Law Enforcement Faculty at HLSCC that would provide training not only to the RVIPF but also to the other law enforcement agencies and private security officers within the territory, eventually to become a regional centre of excellence for other countries to send their law enforcement students to the VI.

First cohort of local recruit course

The first officers to be trained in the Virgin Islands are Valline V. Smart-Hypolite, Sean G. Adams, Rolando A. Codner, Kareem J. Cupid, Shenelca A. Francis-Richards, David J. Nibbs, Dane T. Robin, Brendon M. Simon, Ovis S. B. Stephens-Adams, Marizsta A. Sergeant, Diane Hill, Jermaine A. Brewley and Jason Dunkley.

Police Constable No. 283 Marizsta A. Sergeant received the Burkes Garage Award for Best at Police Subjects, Vernon E. Malone Award for Best Recruit, President’s Award for Excellence to the Best Recruit, and an award for Best Recruit at Baton Honour.

24 Responses to “'Don't worry with the critics'- Tamia N. Richards tells police recruits”

  • facts man (06/08/2015, 11:20) Like (6) Dislike (30) Reply
    Nothing can replace the training from overseas
  • wtf? (06/08/2015, 12:11) Like (9) Dislike (12) Reply
    Why she look so?
    • please (06/08/2015, 14:02) Like (11) Dislike (7) Reply
      In the end it really doesn't matter how she look its what is i on the inside. She is comfortably making thousands in the bank each month. How much you making? Let's focus more on character and less on looks.
      • wow (06/08/2015, 16:43) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
        To "Please" you need to take your own advice. Money does not make you a good person or means that you are happy. Let's focus more on character and less on financial status.
    • Yes (06/08/2015, 14:15) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
      Same thing i saying. Dam she look extra swell up.
    • ... (06/08/2015, 14:28) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
      baby fat!
  • wize up (06/08/2015, 13:23) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    @ facts man: that is the issue we having as we endeavor to build our territory; we continue look up to others as if nothing good can come from the BVI: I personally think the best place to be trained for lawful duty in the BVI is right here: the officers will get hands on as to BVi Laws and local knowledge of our territory: I been to RPTC back in 1980.....
  • W*F (06/08/2015, 13:47) Like (6) Dislike (13) Reply
    She ugly bad
  • waaaa (06/08/2015, 13:55) Like (4) Dislike (7) Reply
    Tamia you look fat. You need to lose the baby fat. It does not look like you. You got to big.
    • wize up (06/08/2015, 18:29) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ waaaa; fat!! what fat; good meat ( ting 2 wok )
    • Observer (06/08/2015, 19:32) Like (1) Dislike (6) Reply
      Thats not baby fat, thats the effect of Karma. When you do injustice, ugliness will be visited upon you.
  • qc (06/08/2015, 14:29) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    ok it exlpains her rulings
  • Beloved (06/08/2015, 15:36) Like (22) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why is this about Tamia and not the recruits? Tortola people just have so much hate in their hearts for each other. Now what did the honorable judge do to you haters. Please leave oshosh alone you set of sick, badminded , jealous individuals. She know the problem is not her , the problem is about the ones that talk ill about others, people who do these things think less of themselves. Tortola people please read "The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz."
  • virgin gorda (06/08/2015, 16:03) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    She getting fat
  • BS (06/08/2015, 21:36) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    A set a bob tail them putting on the streets the judge is the biggest bob tail
  • Voter Too (07/08/2015, 07:31) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
    Don't worry with the critics Tamia just do your job and do it to the best of your ability and beware of the wolves in sheep clothing also. Remember too that many are called but few are chosen. may God be your guide.
  • @tola (07/08/2015, 12:42) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    This woman is one of the most beautiful black woman.
  • Binocs (07/08/2015, 16:06) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    It is Really sad to see a set of DOWN ISLAND/ NOT BVI Islanders on our police force. Some of them can not even be a police in their own country and they can come here and do so.!! well well this is very funny. Is it that Bad BVI Islanders?
  • Old classmate (Genetics) (08/08/2015, 11:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Congratulations Maritza!!!!! i"m so happy and proud of you girl!!! I remember back in HLSCC when you told me you wanted to be in the police force! Praise be to God for his blessings on your life, keep reaching, and aiming high you're a woman with purpose love you !!!!


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