New police recruits take up official duties
(CNS Local Life): The 23 police officers comprising the first RCIPS recruit class of 2019 are officially on the job. The 15 men and eight women who graduated to operational duty were recognised in a ceremony held Thursday, 9 May, marking the completion of 15 weeks of training under the Initial Recruit Foundation Course, which provides grounding in the legal, operational, and fitness aspects of the job.
The recruits range in age from 18 to 40 and hail from various academic and professional backgrounds, including hospitality, education, finance, administration, language interpretation and information technology, stated an RCIPS press release. The class also includes a former RCIPS civilian staff member and Scenes of Crime intern.
The new officers are interested in a variety of police careers available including financial crime, K-9 and marine.
Giving her address on behalf of the graduating class, PC 233 Asanna Hodgson spoke about how much the recruits have grown, and the bonds that were formed during their training. She said that the class’ motto, “Know your weakness, but show your strength”, helped inspire them all to push themselves to new heights, the press release said.
Four of the recruits were given special honours at the graduation ceremony. PC 323 Dale Parker, who received the Team Spirit award, is eventually looking to join the Criminal Investigations Department, Firearms Response Unit, or K-9 Unit. PC 233 Hodgson, who received the Most Improved award, was a full-time student prior to joining the service, and will continue to pursue further education now that her initial training is complete.
PC 250 Wilston Bennett, a former staff member of the Cayman Islands Cadet Corps, received the Best in Drill award. And PC 238 Craig Robinson, who joined the service following a 15-year career as a high school teacher, received the Best Academic Student award.
“From this point on, your conduct will be proof of your character, integrity and service as a police officer,” Acting Commissioner of Police Anthony Ennis told the recruit class. “You will be expected to uphold the highest ethical standards consistent with the RCIPS’ core values and principles on and off the job, which I am confident that you will discharge.”
Governor Martyn Roper said of the event: “It was great to witness the RCIPS graduating class on Thursday – my first. I understand it was the largest RCIPS has seen in recent years. We have a diverse police service but I’m also pleased to see the majority of these recruits are from the Cayman Islands and that a good proportion are female – helping to improve the gender balance.
“I wish all the new recruits well on their journey with RCIPS and offer my thanks to their families and friends who have offered them support on this journey,” Roper said, adding, “It’s good to hear that training begins in the next few weeks for a further recruit class who will graduate later in the year.”
After graduating and being assigned to police duties, the new constables will embark on a tutored phase of on-the-job training with an experienced officer, during which they will be assessed for their suitability for independent patrolling, the release said. Continuous assessments throughout their two-year probationary period will follow, until they are eventually confirmed in rank by the commissioner.
A second class, consisting of 21 recruits, will begin training within the next few weeks. The RCIPS now accepts applications year-round for local police constables through its website. The RCIPS also regularly attends career fairs around the islands. Anyone with questions about the recruitment process or a career in policing should email RCIPSHR@rcips.ky.
Category: Civil Service, Police
