New police recruits urged to be professional and maintain integrity

Mar 11, 2017 News

Eighty-five young men and women graduated from the Felix Austin Police College yesterday and were encouraged to be professional in the execution of their duties. They were also called on to uphold their integrity.

Senior Superintendent Maxine Graham inspecting the graduating ranks yesterday.

Senior Superintendent Maxine Graham, DSM, who delivered the feature address at the Passing-out parade for recruit courses 351, 352 and 353 yesterday at the College at Eve Leary, Georgetown.
For Course 351, the Best Student was Constable Downer, the Runner-Up, Constable Browne and the Most Improved, Constable Clement.
Constable Lacon was awarded the Best Student for Course 352 while Constables Hector and Lindie were adjudged the Runner-up and Most Improved respectively. In Course 353, Constable Bess was awarded Best Student, Constable Smith the Runner-Up and Constable Profitt, the Most Improved.
Senior Supt Graham told the new ranks that they now have a unique opportunity because they can greatly save and change someone’s life in a positive way. “Always remember these key words, professionalism, integrity, courteous, discipline, honesty, be focused and alert. Let those words be your motivating factor through your tour in this organisation.”
Senior Supt. Graham said that the ranks have now been transformed from a civilian to a law enforcement officer. “You have passed all your evaluations; you survived the physical and mental training of the college; you sacrificed a lot during the last four months and you have successfully arrived at this moment in your life.”
She urged the 85 graduating ranks not to throw away or forget the rules that they were taught nor the sworn oath from this point until the day they would retire. Graham said that every act or omission by the ranks would be subject to intense scrutiny and should try to avoid embarrassment.
Giving the introductory remarks was Assistant Commissioner and Force Training Officer, Paul Williams. He said that it is important to see how young men and women from different backgrounds can be taken and moulded into one unit or team.
He thanked the relatives of the ranks for offering the support despite some may not have liked the idea of their loved one joining the force initially.
According to Williams, the recruit programme would have equipped them with the necessary skills and knowledge for them to embark into the world of policing for a probationary period of two years.
“During the probationary period they will be closely monitored and supervised and it is expected that during that period they would exercise what they would have learned and also inculcate and embrace good practices.”
He warned that if the ranks are to conduct themselves in any way that is not in keeping with the standard that is required of them, they can be easily dismissed at the discretion of the Commissioner.
“Discipline is paramount. I tell my staff it doesn’t matter how bright you are, how many subjects you have, discipline is always paramount, and if you are indiscipline, I am not willing to work with you. These ranks would have exhibited the high level of discipline that they are able to make this graduation (yesterday).”