Minister Dunkley On Police Cadet Progamme
Speaking today [Feb 14] in the House of Assembly, Minister of National Security Michael Dunkley said that he is pleased with the work of the Bermuda Police Service [BPS] to recruit new members, with eight new recruits set to join the force later this month.
Minister Dunkley said, “The Cadet programme is an exceptional opportunity for young Bermudians to serve their community as salaried employees of the BPS. The programme ensures that Cadets continue their educational pursuits as they must be enrolled or pre-qualified for an Associate’s Degree programme at the Bermuda College.
“It is a catalyst for the future success of those selected and their positive contributions to our community through their continued Service with the BPS or any other field they choose.
“A wide variety of operational attachments will be provided during college recesses. These Cadets will benefit from exposure to a broad spectrum of official duties throughout their time in service.
“Their desire to use their young talents in service to Bermuda is a testament to their character and the BPS will be enriched for it.”
The full statement from Minister Dunkley follows below:
Mr. Speaker, the Ministry of National Security and the Bermuda Police Service remain committed to recruiting and training qualified Bermudians for a rewarding, exciting and challenging career as Officers of the BPS.
To that end, the BPS recently held a recruitment drive that saw more than fifty young people apply to become Cadets of the Bermuda Police Service.
After a comprehensive selection process that included a review of academic grades, formal interviews and fitness testing, eight applicants have been selected for recruitment with effect from Monday 24th of February 2014.
The eight comprise of five female cadets: Lema Kayjuna, Aisha Hendrickson, Akelah Hendrickson, Maya Tucker and Rajah Steede; and three male cadets: D’vario Thompson, Hans-Peter Roser Jr. and Jordan Basden.
This recruitment swells the ranks to a total of thirteen cadets currently serving in the Bermuda Police Service.
Mr. Speaker, the Cadet programme is an exceptional opportunity for young Bermudians to serve their community as salaried employees of the BPS.
The programme ensures that Cadets continue their educational pursuits as they must be enrolled or pre-qualified for an Associate’s Degree programme at the Bermuda College.
In addition to salaries of up to $42,000 per year, Bermuda College course fees and cadet uniforms are also included in the compensation package.
In return, cadets must meet the high standards of the BPS Code of Conduct, maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA for each semester and be willing to make a commitment to serve as a Police Constable for a period of at least three years upon graduation.
Graduating Cadets wishing to extend their education beyond an Associate’s Degree have the option of applying for a bursary of up to $20,000 per year towards the completion of a Bachelor’s Degree.
Admittedly Mr. Speaker, this programme is a significant financial undertaking for the BPS and the Ministry of National Security. However, even with the current budget constraints, the value in this programme for young Bermudians cannot be understated. The Cadet programme is more than just a job.
It is a catalyst for the future success of those selected and their positive contributions to our community through their continued Service with the BPS or any other field they choose.
Mr. Speaker, the eight most recently recruited Cadets are all Bermudians between the ages of 16 and 21 and in good physical and mental health. During their time as Cadets, they will be afforded the opportunity to work in an environment that provides for personal and professional growth.
A wide variety of operational attachments will be provided during college recesses. These Cadets will benefit from exposure to a broad spectrum of official duties throughout their time in service.
Mr. Speaker, the current ranks of the BPS are sprinkled with officers who have passed through this Cadet programme and have remained on with the BPS beyond the obligatory 3 years post graduation.
I am sure that each of them can attest that their early exposure to policing with the community helped to build strong personal values, communication skills and leadership potential and prepared them to be outstanding members of the BPS.
Mr. Speaker, this Government is steadfast in its promise to provide training, education and employment opportunities. The Cadet programme is another example of ongoing initiatives throughout Government to provide real opportunities for professional development to those who are willing to apply themselves.
I am confident that this year’s recruits will take full advantage of the opportunity they have been afforded. Their desire to use their young talents in service to Bermuda is a testament to their character and the BPS will be enriched for it.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Heard that back in 1966.
Bulls***.
Terry seems to have a faulty memory. Dozens of young men went through the Cadet scheme and got a good education in the process. Some stayed in the Police but many went on to pursue other careers, including law, and the vast majority have remained law abiding citizens all their lives.
Amazing how programmes to help young Bermudians to improve themselves, get an education and have opportunities to advance in a career, can still be subjected to the usual negative “Bulls***”.
Unless you were you have no idea Commmon Sense.
I know many that went through the socalled programe back then.
Like 8 of us over a period of three years.
The ones you speak of were not ‘cadets’ but a few were and those that were stuck it out and went through the ranks.
Your confusing yourself with expats that did 5-10-15 years and moved on to take jobs as Solicitors/ et al.
That’s fine.
Now go back to BIAW and make hay there.
Name me one Police Cadet from 1965 to 1969 that went to a college course.
All we did was diliver mail and make tea et al.
Wow. How is this a bad thing?
how are they still hiring?
i thought we had a bloated government payroll already.
is bps not a government entity? what is starting pay? i’m pretty sure they all get 4 weeks holiday right off the bat. multiply that by 8, that’s 40 weeks of paid vacation add salary’s, benefits, uniforms,etc.. and that’s a lot of moola.
these guys definitely know how to throw it around. it’s like rumspringa at the strip club! woo hoo! go oba
That’s what I was thinking…Do we need extra cadets at this time? 42k plus a chance of 20k for schooling…That’s a lot of $$$ for a country deep in debt…with that said congrats to the cadets who took advantage of the program…
There are some government departments that are actually short staffed. The ‘bloating’ comes from the ridiculous salaries.
There should be a drive for more Bermudian police officers
the bps is not one of those short staffed departments.
i agree about the ridiculous salaries. especially at the upper levels. but a new recruits pay is also quite healthy.
the only way we could afford more bermudian po’s is if we drive some of the foreign staff to the airport.
$42,000 a year.
$42,000 a year.
Then you can do what you want.
How many years.
How many years of what.
I really want to know where this came from.
They can’t even get good people with a great track record or work ethic to join.
Someone bite my — here.
The real honest conversation about the Police Cadet Program is, in the last 5 years 60 percent of all the Cadets in the program have been dismissed because they cannot maintain a 2.0 GPA or a C average.
These Cadets (students usually between the ages of 17 to 23)have drill 3 or four times a week, and go to school. They get up to 42K year.
The time has come folks: we must ask ourselves do we have to pay 42k A YEAR for police cadets???? Yes they should be compensated educational allowances, and a stipend but 42k??? that is not responsible! when we are cutting jobs left and right this is not a good use of the people’s funds.
I will ask you!!! what do these cadets do that justify their 42k a year?
10K with their tuition at the college paid for yes, health benefits, yes, but 42k for Cadets??? are you for real!!!
then we talk about entitlement!!!!!!
If the money was such a motivational factor, more students would graduate from the College as Cadets. Sadly in the last 5 years that has not been the case.
How do I know, I work at the college…….. Most of the Cadets last year did not come to class, they had very poor attitudes about school. I asked why don’t you care most said they just wanted the pay.
One said he was using the money to help his mom but he did not want to be a COP.
We must not do the same thing over and over and expect a different result. The Cadet program must change and evolve. Please someone as the police to print the graduation rate of the Cadets? You will see that it has not been a good investment.
OBA,keep us safe.Good job to all concerned!
zzzzz
8 out of how many?
This Program is perhaps a good one,however the remuneration or total rewards package has not been thought through. We need to raise the bar on the GPA requirements. Mediocrity should never be the standard! The salary should come with guaranteed employment under successful completion of all pre requisites! 42k from inception is excessive!
Year 1- free college education, mandatory GPA of 3.0; free health benefits and a bounty ( must meet program experience and education requirements in order to receive bounty!
Year 2- free college education, mandatory GPA of 3.0; free health benefits and a bounty ( must meet program experience and education requirements in order to receive bounty)
Year 3- upon graduation with Associates Degree- guaranteed job with BPS- full salary and benefits
I thought a report was just released stating crime was at an all time low?? I still see police stations with the parking lot full of police cars or parked in private residents so really there isn’t a good utilization of the “force” we already have. Unless we’re ready too weed out the bad seeds with in the “force” all we’re going to do is bring new recruits into an environment that they’re just going potentially to pick up old bad habits.
$336,000 minimum per annum with also the option to a free education for these 8 new recruits is a pricey gamble, I hope the selection process for these individuals was done thoroughly. It may be time to sign off on more binding contracts for new recruits to ensure that the tax payer are getting value for money instead of individuals taking on this opportunity without fully committing to all that it incorporates.
Why do you keep saying “force”? The “force” was done away with a long time ago. It is the Bermuda Police SERVICE. That report you question, was a steaming pile of horse crap, but hey it makes some people sleep better until someone breaks in with a “bladed article”.
Because, service is what’s lacking so hey may as well revert back to “force”… Though I 100% agree with you on the report.
According to the WORLD BANK if you are earning $34,000 dollars per year
“GLOBALLY” you are in the TOP one (1%) per cent.
There is no cure for “STUPID” not taking advantage of being paid $42,000 a year of $3500 per month,to go to school.There are Billions of yougsters in the World who would love to have that opportunity
OH! by the way we are still “RENTING” Bermuda for us all to live here at $10Million per month for all the money that we borrow3ed and spent.
Thank you PLP and mr brown.
I trust the new Police Cadets will take the time to listen to their Minister drop the f bomb and make derogatory comments on an open mike at the House of Assembly on Friday. It’s all over facebook. Hardly an example from a Minister who claimed as recently as his interview with Sherry on Magic that he won’t let anyone question his integrity.