3rd Cohort of police recruits passes with ‘flying colours’
David was one of 20 recruits who successfully completed a six-month training programme to become police officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF).
The Completion Exercise and Passing Out Parade for the batch of recruits, referred to as Cohort 3, was on the campus of H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) in Paraquita Bay, Tortola, on Thursday June 20, 2019.
High quality course
Three of the recruits, according to Commissioner of Police Michael B. Matthews, were auxiliary officers who were supposed to do six weeks of training but the other recruits lobbied for them to stay on for the full six months.
“They all did their six months together and I have seen the final results, I have seen the exam results, and I can tell you this cohort has all passed with flying colours.
“Those three [auxiliary] officers standing amongst you today are going to be offered posts as regular officers,” Commissioner Matthews said, to loud applause from those in attendance.
Mr Matthews revealed that some of the recruits already had some amount of on the ground experience as law enforcement officers as they were asked to work at the Long Walk to Freedom Concert featuring Jamaican artiste Mark A. Myrie aka ‘Buju Banton’ at Festival Grounds on June 15, 2019.
The top cop noted that as of next week the new police constables will join the regular ranks. “Their training of course will continue. I expect them to maintain their standards. In fact, I expect them to work even harder,” Mr Matthews said, adding he was exceptionally proud of them.
“This has been such a high quality course.”
Significant day for the territory- Gov Jaspert
Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert said he was impressed with the marching of the recruits, telling them “If you serve the territory in your policing half as well as you march, you would do us proud.”
He added it was a significant day for the recruits but also a significant day for the territory.
“The first responsibility of any Government, the first responsibility of anybody in leadership, is to keep people feeling safe and secure. We don’t have a thriving economy, we don’t have a thriving tourism, our children can’t get educated, we can’t walk the streets feeling happy and safe unless we feel safe.”
Governor Jaspert let the successful recruits know they are joining the front line in what is the most important duty the territory has. “To keep our territory safe, and for that I applaud you, I congratulate you.”
‘Government will be here to support you’ - Deputy Premier
Also in attendance were Deputy Premier and Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5), Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9), Junior Minister for Trade and Economic Development Hon Sharie B. De Castro (AL), Junior Minister for Tourism Hon Shereen D. Flax-Charles (AL), Deputy Speaker and At Large Representative Hon Neville A. Smith and Member of the Opposition and Second District Representative Hon Melvin M. Turnbull.
Hon Rymer said in his “previous life” as a civil servant he always had a relationship with the police force, adding it is a pleasure to welcome the recruits into the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force on behalf of the Government of the Virgin Islands.
“What I know is they have gone through rigorous training and they have understood and know what it is to protect and serve.
“We expect great things from you and this Government will be here to support you as we have been doing...”
Never compromise integrity- Keynote Speaker
The Keynote Speaker was Dean of Workforce Training at HLSCC, Ms Bernadine Louis, who is the eldest daughter of the late former legislator Mr Cyril Walters and the late Lucia Walters.
“We look to you now graduates to continue to be outstanding at what you do, to continue to work hard and some instances, harder, and to demonstrate integrity in the execution of your duties. The residents and citizens of this BVI community deserve no less,” Ms Louis stated.
She advised the young recruits that as they take on the new role of peace officer they are going to be challenged. “You are going to be tempted. You are going to find yourselves in very difficult situations in these increasingly difficult times, for life is full of challenges and this world that we live in is far from perfect.”
But Ms Louis encouraged them to always remember their duty to the people and to the country in which they live and serve and to “never ever compromise your integrity.”
“For if you lose it, it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to restore.”
‘I want to make a difference’- Police Constable No. 70, Royce D. David
Meanwhile, Mr David told Virgin Islands News Online he was looking forward to going out into the community and practicing what he learned over the six months of training.
“I know for sure when I go out the community will see a great difference in the police force, a significant improvement,” an enthusiastic David remarked.
The successful recruits wouldn’t be new police officers for long; however, as the next batch of recruits are expected in July. “…hopefully 15 or 16 more new officers,” Police Commissioner Matthews noted.
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7 Responses to “3rd Cohort of police recruits passes with ‘flying colours’”
so ends up on the BVI Police Depatment.
They contributed immensely to the tranquility of this territory......sorry to burst your bubble!!!!