By Vernlyn Zakers
A rainy evening, last Thursday, saw 31 recruits become full pledged police officers of the Royal St. Christopher & Nevis Police Force.
Present at the ceremony was the Governor General Sir Cuthbert Sebastian, Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Llewellyn Douglas, Premier Vance Amory, Minister of National Security Dwyer Astaphan, Commissioner of Police Robert Jeffers, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry National Security Astona Browne and Force Chaplin Leroy Benjamin.
Commissioner Jeffers in his speech congratulated the new recruits on their accomplishments
The feature address was made by Minister Astaphan, who encouraged the recruits to aim for higher heights, to always have faith because they will need it each day to be effective police officers.
Astaphan also encouraged the new police officers to make friends with members of the community, for they will need the help of the citizens in order to maintain peace in the country.
“You will have to become proactive enforcers to help redirect the youths of the federation,” Astaphan said.
Astaphan said he wanted to see a stronger police presence in the secondary schools. He encouraged officers to visit the schools on a regular basis.
The Royal St. Christopher & Nevis Police Force newly recruits are Port Constables No. 51 Dwight Nolan, No. 69 Angela Arrindel, No. 95 Spencer Pringle, No. 103 Kevin Williams and No. 110 Clairmont Joseph, the other recruits are No.650 WPC Abigale Charles, No. 651 PC Shawn Huggins, No. 652 WPC Tessita Williams, No. 653 PC Carl Gordon, No. 654 WPC DevoncelDolphin, No. 655 PC Clive Wilson, No. 656 WPC Pettona Rouse, SPC Kingsley Francis, SPC Javern Weekes, SPC Rickford Harlequin, SPC Jamie Brombill, SPC Clinton Huggins, SPC Gesim Faser, SPC Alexis George, SPC Jefferson Forde, SPC Curtis Woods, SPC Ray Farrel, SPC Maurizo Chummney, SPC Jumior Gordon, SPC Julian Marrishow, SPC Shayne Matthew, SPC Jermin Caskin, SPC Raelyn Marryshow, SPC Sherlon Audain and SPC Kern Cabey.
At the ceremony numerous awards were distributed to the outstanding officers
The Best Student Award and went to No. 55 Clive Wilson.
SPC Alexis George received the Best Police Subjects Award. He also won the award for the best student at self-defense.
The best at drills award was given to No.110 Clairmont Joseph.
SPC Junior Gordon received the award for best at rifle shooting, SPC Jamie Brombill was best at physical training.
Best turn-out student award was given to SPC Jefferson Force, SPC Jermin Gaskin received the award for best student at weapon training, No.653 Carl Gordon was presented with the award the award of most disciplined student and SPC Rickford Harlequin received the award for best shooting.
“From this day you are officers and are expected to respect and enforce the laws of this country, you are also to prevent crime and help keep the peace in the Federation and to do your job to the best of your ability at all times,” Jeffers said.
