New immigration officers head to the Brac
(L-R) New immigration officers Steven Scott, Adam Clyne and Deanira Brown during the ceremony
(CNS Local Life): Three new immigration officers who graduated from a training programme 9 December have been assigned to Cayman Brac. Government officials and the graduates’ family and friends celebrated the achievements of Deanira Brown, Adam Clyne and Steven Scott during a ceremony at the Department of Immigration headquarters in Grand Cayman.
The group received practical and theoretical cross-training within the department that aimed to develop an understanding of all border control procedures, interviewing techniques for the entry and exit process, the asylum application policy and procedure, and other immigration law protocols.
The three were also required to learn the immigration law and supporting processes for all front counter procedures.
Deputy Governor Franz Manderson addressed the graduates during the ceremony, emphasising the seriousness of their new duties. “As an immigration officer at the border, you are the first person our visitors encounter,” he said. “How you interact will be their first impression of the Cayman Islands. Not only are you part of the border control of the island, you are an ambassador for our Immigration Department. I welcome you to the civil service family and I know you will continue to make us proud.”
Acting Chief Immigration Officer Garfield Wong also congratulated and welcomed the new officers. “This is the first time I can recall a training programme geared specifically towards Cayman Brac officers,” he said. “I would like to thank all of those who helped train these officers. I am confident in their professionalism in the line of duty, and I know they will serve this country well.”
Speaking on behalf of the three graduates, Clyne thanked all of the training facilitators who contributed to their success. “The training has been an amazing journey and experience,” he said. “I would like to thank everyone for their help and we are happy we got the chance to have this opportunity.”
Jenifer Gager-Sterling, the department’s training and development manager, spoke of immigration’s vision, mission and core values and encouraged the officers to be guided by these in the performance of duty.
“You have made a commitment to serve your country. Serve it with honesty, integrity, respect and dignity,” she said. “Do not be tempted to use the power of your uniform or badge in a compromising way. The operative word is service, so find the balance between enforcing the law and serving the Cayman Islands in a courteous way.”
Stran Bodden, Chief Officer for the Ministry of District Administration, said, “It gives me such a sense of pride to see you complete your training and go back to Cayman Brac to be responsible for border control for the Island,” adding, “Immigration is a very dynamic field, which holds a lot of opportunity, seize it. There’s also a lot of responsibility, own it.”
Category: Civil Service
