The Bermuda Police Service announced promotions and the success of the Police Cadet programme on Monday, which has seen officers rise through the ranks to claim positions including Superintendent and Chief Inspector. Both Superintendent Michael A. DeSilva and Chief Inspector Tracy Adams started their careers in the cadets in the early 1980s. They have risen up the ranks together and have recently been promoted.

Supt. DeSilva heads the Operational Policing Division, which is comprised of 280 officers. He is a qualified hostage and crisis negotiator and graduated from the FBI National Academy Executive Development Programme.

Chief Insp. Adams is now in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department. He too joined the Service as a cadet and has received Commissioner?s Commendations for manslaughter inquiry, sexual assault inquiry, murder inquiry and service rendered during Hurricane Fabian. Det. Chief Insp. James Howard was also recently promoted and now heads the Narcotics division. He has attended courses in England, the US and around the Caribbean including one in Martinique regarding illicit substances and money laundering. All three men said they were committed to mentoring young officers to ensure qualified, professional Bermudians rise through the ranks. They also added that they are interested in seeing the Service become more citizen focused. Also at the press conference was Cadet Anton Gilbert, one of Bermuda?s future officers. Cadet members must attend Bermuda College for two years before enlisting. They complete an Associate Degree for which their college tuition is paid by the Police Service. Cadet Gilbert is studying Actuarial Science at Bermuda College. The Police Service pays for his Associates degree as well as a salary of $26,000. Once he has completed his degree he will serve in the force for a minimum of three years. During breaks from the college he is assigned to various departments in the force in order to gain more experience.

?It?s made me a more productive and disciplined student,? he said. Cadet Gilbert also said that he had learned a lot about the importance of teamwork, which is an integral part of the programme. he added that he has already learned a lot about issues facing the Police.

P.c. Suzanne Steed added that cadets also receive all benefits including dental and medical as well as access to Police facilities.

She said the Service was committed to getting the message about cadets out. ?We recently placed an advertisement and had 15 responses,? she said. ?We don?t want anyone to miss this, it?s a chance of a lifetime.?