More than 85 schoolchildren were honoured by Bermuda Police Service on Wednesday night at the inaugural Commissioner’s Vision Awards ceremony.

Police Commissioner Michael DeSilva recognised civic-minded students who best exemplify the Service’s core values — professionalism, integrity, respect, accountability, dedication, courage and unity.

“It’s important to recognise you have a bright future ahead of you and we all want the best for you,” he said.

The awards scheme was launched as part of the Service’s 135th anniversary celebrations.

Each of the Island’s schools was asked to nominate five pupils with the Service’s core traits, with 150 honoured in total and 86 in attendance at the special ceremony on Wednesday, held at the Berkeley Institute.

The prize-giving was originally due to be held as part of last month’s Police Tattoo but the imminent arrival of Tropical Storm Fay meant it had to be postponed.

More than 400 people attended, including students, teachers and proud parents and family members, along with numerous members of the Service’s senior command, such as Deputy Commissioner Paul Wright, Superintendent James Howard and Superintendent Martin Weekes.

Mr DeSilva thanked those present for being there, saying it demonstrated to the children that “they are important to you”.

“Our children will learn far more from watching what we do than listening to what we say,” he said.

“These are young people who are setting an example for themselves, for each other, for other people to follow. They are setting pathways for the future.”

Mr DeSilva noted some of the Service’s core values and suggested how students could apply these to their own lives.

“Professionalism: do the best job you can possibly do,” he said. “Respect: You have to respect people to get respect back.

“Accountability, or responsibility: young people like to say ‘own it’. If you did it, speak up, whether you did the right thing or wrong thing.

“Dedication: it’s about getting the work done no matter what. Courage: stand up for the kid next to you getting bullied.”

Each of the pupils attending was then called out by name to go on stage and receive their award.

“It’s important each child hears their name individually in front of this group,” Mr DeSilva said. “We have a message for you — we’re proud of you. We think you are shining examples and you are important to us.

“Tonight we honour you in front of friends, fellow students and families, to let you know you are making a difference and you should be proud of that.”

The Commissioner’s Vision Awards were launched as an alternative to the annual Commissioner for a Day competition, in which a handful of youngsters would get an inside look at policing and meet the Commissioner and his senior command.

The new initiative was run in collaboration with the Island’s schools and with Bermuda CableVision.

CableVision chief executive Terry Roberson also attended last night’s ceremony and said it was “great to have some good people to hear about instead of all those bad apples”.

“Thank you for all that you do,” he told the children.