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