Head of the Financial Investigation Agency in the British Virgin Islands Errol George reminded thirty-two new police officers, including Best Recruit Constable Keimar Greene, that they are now servants and guardians of the community committed to the service of justice during the May 18 commencement ceremony.

George was the keynote speaker at the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) graduation ceremony which was held on the grounds of the H Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC), Paraquita Bay in Tortola.

“Today marks a new journey as you embark on a worthwhile career of service to the community. As police and auxiliary officers you are servants and guardians of the public. Policing is a noble profession, no one forced you to choose it, you chose it of your own free will. By so doing you have an obligation to live up to the standards it requires. You have also committed yourself to the service of justice,” George said.

The new recruits – 14 constables and 18 auxiliaries – completed a six months rigiour basic training programme and will now fill vacancies in the newly restarted community policing division which is intended to strengthen relations between the public and the Force. 

Before a crowd of well wishers, Commissioner of Police Mark Collins congratulated the graduates and welcomed them to active duty.

“Let me offer heartfelt congratulations to all of you for the successful completion of what I know was a tough six months of training, early  morning PT, late night drills and classes in between. I welcome you as you transition into the workplace where you are going to put now all of that training into practice.”

This is the sixth graduating class since the establishment of police training in the BVI. 

The new recruits will also be part of the foot patrol squad to provide more police visibility on the streets.

Governor John Rankin commended the officers for completing the training programme even faced with difficult exercises.

“I know that the tasks you have had to master as part of your training have demanded much of you. Demanded much of you in terms of your physical skills, in terms of your mental skills, in terms of your ability to learn new things, in terms of your resilience at points of adversity in your training. But you have lasted the course.”

Constable Keimar Greene received the President’s Award for Excellence for Best Recruit, the Commissioner’s Award for Best Recruit and the DCP Award for Best All-Around Recruit was Constable Keimar Greene. 

Auxilliary Ronesha Jackson was given the Commandant’s Award for Best Auxiliary and Highest Academic Achievement. Other awards were given to officers who excelled in the areas of academic excellence, integrity, perseverance, drills, leadership, discipline, evidence gathering, and physical fitness.

HLSS President Richard Georges told the group that the community expects every one of them to serve with decency and fairness.

“You are being placed today in positions of responsibility, position of leadership in your community and there will be placed upon you by this community the highest expectations of decency, of morality and of fairness.”