Customs welcomes four new officers
(L-R) Customs Collector Charles Clifford, Training Manager Langlie Powery, graduates George Jackson, Gerome Bodden, Christopher Myles and Monique Barnett, Finance Minister Hon. Marco Archer and Financial Secretary Kenneth Jefferson
(CNS): As four new customs officers entered the service last week, having gone through three months of intensive training, Finance Minister Marco Archer encouraged them to apply the Customs Laws and Regulations fairly and fearlessly and warned them to “aoid temptation and corruption in conducting your duties”. Monique Barnett, Christopher Myles, Gerome Bodden and George Jackson received their epaulettes and pins as well as their certificates at a graduation ceremony to signify their entry into the service on Monday, 4 April.
Financial Secretary Kenneth Jefferson noted that as ambassadors for the Cayman Islands, customs Oofficers should remain professional and courteous in carrying out their duties. “Understand why laws and regulations specify what you do. Take advantage of your superior’s knowledge and experience. At the same time, be innovative and suggest changes that improve Customs operations and procedures,” he advised.
He also encouraged them to maintain their professional edge, making the most of all opportunities to keep their knowledge current.
Collector of Customs Charles Clifford praised the graduates for their dedication and commitment to their duties thus far and encouraged them to keep excellence in the forefront in all their efforts going forward. He advised them to use their “awesome responsibility” as law enforcement officers to bring offenders to justice and ensure the innocent are free from harassment.
“You have chosen a career that is critically important to the functioning of the Cayman Islands Government,” he remarked.
He also emphasised the duty of customs officers to protect and collect government revenue and secure the borders, and urged them to remain fair but firm and courteous, and to engage their tact and good judgement when doing their jobs. Over the next 12 months, the graduates will receive hands-on training in all areas of customs operations, he noted.
Speaking on behalf of the recruits, Barnett said that the skills they had acquired during the three-month training would be put to good use during their probation period. These covered all aspects of customs operations, as well as relevant subjects like self-defence and CPR. She thanked all the trainers for their diligence and thoroughness.
Top scorers were Barnett and Myles with Bodden in third position.
Category: Civil Service
Congratulations to the new Customs Officers.