Twenty new officers joined the Bermuda Police Service yesterday, marking the end of one of the largest recruit courses in recent history.

The new officers were part of Recruit Foundation Course No. 70 and come from Bermuda, the Caribbean, Canada and India. It was the first recruit course to contain untrained expatriates since 1980.

After being put through their paces at the official passing out ceremony Commissioner George Jackson, who himself started as an untrained foreign recruit, told the new officers: "This is a diverse group including university graduates, college graduates and high school achievers. The recruit course they completed is academically rigorous and physically challenging."

Minister of Public Safety David Burch said: "This is 20 steps closer to a full complement in the Bermuda Police Service.

"To the ten Bermudians who have decided they can police their own, thank you. To the ten recruits from the Caribbean who have come, yours will be a much more difficult task as you are dealing with a different culture. Approach Bermudian people with the understanding that the vast majority of us are law abiding. Firmly but fairly should be your watch words."

Speaking of the recent pay dispute settlement which saw officers receive a pay increase after three years of negotiations with Government, Sen. Burch said: "Bermuda will demand a higher level of service from you with this settlement."

After inspecting the recruits Governor Sir Richard Gozney said he hoped the new officers would translate to more visibility on the streets.

He said: "Many people I have spoken to say they want to see more officers on the streets. I hope that they will see more officers out and about now. From my limited ten-month experience I think the Police response is very high and I hope you keep up the standard."

The Baton of Honour for leadership and problem-solving skills went to P.c. Derrick Golding. The Academic Award went to P.C. Kadian Gobay, who maintained an average of 95.7 percent throughout the course.

The Mylod Trophy for the officer who made the most progress on the course went to P.c. Nidra Warner.

The Best All Round Male Athlete Award went to P.c. Junior Warner while the Instructor Cup (Male) for the fastest recruit in a 10 kilometre race went to P.c. Stephen Allen.

The Best All Round Female Athlete Award and the Instructor's Cup (Female) went to P.c. Kendy Swainson.

The other officers in Recruit Foundation Course No. 70 included: P.C. Matthiey Richard, P.C. Anthony Smith, Claude Blanchard, P. c. Seem Obeius, P.c. LaToyia Brunson, P.c. Kemar Peters, P.c. Jeffrey Lawrence, P.c. Oswin Pereira, P.c. Caleb Pierre Jr., P.c. Ian Taitt, P.c. Witton Williams, P.c. Janeal Parson, P.c. McKenzie Simons, P.c. Anthony Ricketts.

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