Premier Congratulates Newest BPS Recruits
[Updated] Bermuda’s newest police officers, graduates of the Bermuda Police Recruit Foundation Course #76, were welcomed to their duties by Premier Michael Dunkley yesterday [Sept 11] following a 16 week training course.
The Premier noted the many prior achievements of the new officers, acknowledged the birthday of the course’s youngest recruit, and thanked both the recruits for “answering the call to serve” and their families for their continuing support.
Premier Dunkley said, “Anytime ordinary men and women answer the call to serving the community, we reflect on their willingness to serve with gratitude. Through excellent instruction, self-discipline and family support, we welcome these new police officers into public service.”
Back Row Left to Right: Sergeant Taylor [Staff], PC Mattatall, PC Swan, PC Scotton, PC Downie, PC O’Reilly, PC Raposo, PC Williams, PC Shreeve, PC Godfrey, PC Clyke, PC Greenslade, PC Hill, PC Fishington [Staff]
Middle Row Left to Right: Sergeant Dean [Staff], PC Simons, PC Mullan, PC Brown, PC Taylor, PC Correia, PC Easton, PC Outerbridge, PC D. Wilkinson, PC Tuzo, PC W. Wilkinson, PC Lewis, PC Butler, PC Thompson
Front Row Left to Right: Mr. Trott HRM, Inspector Charlemagne, Acting ACOP Howard, DCOP Wright, COP DeSilva, ACOP Daniels, Acting Chief Inspector Burgess, Sergeant Golding [Staff]
Premier Dunkley continued, “I encourage you to be sensitive in your duties. Be mindful of the need for good conduct in and out of uniform and to enforce the law without fear or favour. The strength of the Bermuda Police Service is in the dedication of its men and women and the integrity they bring to law enforcement.
“The combination of youth and life experience, the added academic achievements and the continued development of your communication, decision making and leadership skills can lead to promotions within the Bermuda Police Services. We as a community look forward to the places you will go.
“In closing, as I congratulate our officers passing out today, let me also thank your families for their support during these last 16 weeks. This course also yielded one marriage and three babies. Late nights and irregular hours may be just beginning and so the support of your loved ones will be critical to your success in policing.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Bermuda, thank you for answering the call to serve and congratulations on your success today.”
Premier Dunkley’s full statement follows below:
Your Excellency, Commissioner, Police Senior Command, ladies and gentlemen; good evening, and Commissioner, thank you for the opportunity to say a few words.
I am so proud to be here again to celebrate the 16 week transformation of civilians into front line police officers.
Anytime ordinary men and women answer the call to serving the community we reflect on their willingness to serve with gratitude. Through excellent instruction, self-discipline and family support, we welcome these new police officers into public service.
I encourage you to be sensitive in your duties. Be mindful of the need for good conduct in and out of uniform and to enforce the law without fear or favour. The strength of the Bermuda Police Service is in the dedication of its men and women and the integrity they bring to law enforcement.
Recruit Foundation Course No. 76 has produced another batch of officers with varied life experiences.
Today we welcome the youngest officer.
PC Easton Happy 20th birthday! I’m guessing that you asked for a parade to celebrate your day…
Another PC has the distinction of being the youngest published female Author in Bermuda at age 15. Another has represented Bermuda on the world stage in sports. These are only a few of the interesting factoids of this new group of Police Constables.
There are nine degrees and three certifications on parade today.
The combination of youth and life experience, the added academic achievements and the continued development of your communication, decision making and leadership skills can lead to promotions within the Bermuda Police Services. We as a community look forward to the places you will go.
In closing, as I congratulate our officers passing out today, let me also thank your families for their support during these last 16 weeks. This course also yielded one marriage and three babies. Late nights and irregular hours may be just beginning and so the support of your loved ones will be critical to your success in policing.
On behalf of the Government and people of Bermuda, thank you for answering the call to serve and congratulations on your success today.
Thank you.
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Update 12.10pm: Shadow Public Safety Minister Walter Roban said the PLP would “like to extend our warmest congratulations to the twenty-five men and women who have successfully completed the 16-week Recruit Foundation Course #76.
“In these times a strong, efficient, well manned Police Service is vital to maintaining law and good order for all Bermudians. It is not an easy job, but the role that these outstanding men and women will play alongside their colleagues is vital, and we commend them for taking up the challenge of keeping Bermuda’s streets safe.”
Congratulations to you all. “Though the badge is placed on the hat don’t allow it to go to your head”
By the way, it’s good seeing Premier Michael Dunkley isn’t in any of these photos…Now we don’t have to hear more ranting and raving from the anti O.B.A.
Ranting & raving………..SMH
He must have took the hint from the comments on the blogs…
Too many photos.
Not even close … Batman and Robin love the camera , it was the police who wasn’t about to waste EFFIN film !
A reminder to all of you.
Respect is not automatic, you must EARN it!
Wouldn’t it work better if we respected each other automatically rather than having to earn it? The earning of respect kind of suggests you do not respect people you do not know.
Respect could certainly be lost though.
These remarks are meant for the new constables.
Congrats….But there should truly be a height requirement…..Some are so tiny, and at risk for great injury by a suspect/detainee who is much larger than the little officer.
Clearly you don’t know jack about police work mate… Congrats to all the officers, regardless of race, shape or size!!
I take your point, but height shouldn’t stand in the way. I know lots of short people that are way tougher than people twice their size. I also know a police officer who is responsible for safety training. He is short, but you better not get in his way or HE WILL TAKE YOU DOWN.
Also, there are so many different operational areas within the BPS. Not all officers are out on the beat arresting people.
they can’t all be the height of big Scott the 7footer who i see has been receiving some much deserved love on Facebook recently, he’s a good man and a real credit to the service.
There is, but the recruitment process, and the BPS as a whole for that matter, has been known to favor certain individuals…
I tend to agree with Darryl and I know a lot about police work having served before. Congrats anyway to all.
There is NOTHING to substantiate Daryl’s statement. Height doesn’t equate to ones power and or ability to bring under control and or restrain,
Then why is there a minimum height requirement in the London Met, British Army, British Navy, US Army, USMC (I can do this all day…)?
Absolutely right.
Short people have compact muscles which sometimes leads to greater strength than longer, leaner muscles.
My Mom had a saying, “Small axes chop down big trees.” In other words, don’t go by size. Small people can be more feisty than big people.
Congratulations to my Grandson Courtney Downie and all the New Officers. I wish you much success in your new career.
they need to bring that usa police mentality here, if you aint a thot stay out my trap house
Congrats Johnny!
Congrats to the baton of honor,Mr.Scotton.
I thought we already had too many government employees…
How is the bps still hiring?
Because the BPS is funded to a certain number of officers and with retirements, resignations and other such stuff they are under that number hence a recruitment course to get back to near full strength
Congraulations to all these young men and women who passed the rigorous 16 week Police Training course.
It’s tragic that some people choose to write such negative and childish comments on this and other blogs. I suspect that most would not have the mental or physical fortitude to accomplish what these recruits have done. I wish all of the recruits a long and satisfying career in the BPS. It’s a tough job these days but you have had the benefit of excellent training.
Congrats guys i remember when i did this training and these were some of the happiest days of my life and i have made friends for a lifetime too.So please do enjoy and welcome to the rank and file of Policing.