A new class of police recruits was sworn into Bermuda’s service during a passing-out ceremony at Warwick Camp yesterday.

The 22 officers were joined by family and friends as dignitaries ushered them through the milestone moment.

Andrew Murdoch, the Governor, commended the new recruits from several different countries for choosing to serve with the Bermuda Police Service.

He said: “As the BPS strive to get to full strength, it is wonderful to see the breadth of experiences that you will all bring to your new careers and the community of Bermuda.”

The new officers hailed from the island as well as nine other countries from across the Caribbean, Europe and Asia.

Mr Murdoch acknowledged the shooting last week at Legends sports bar, which claimed the lives of two people and injured three others.

He said the incident emphasised the crucial and varied nature of the police service — to protect the community and offer comfort even in the most tense situations.

Mr Murdoch told the recruits: “Policing is a demanding career. It will test all that you have learnt. At times this work will be difficult.

“As you become operational, you will sometimes be uncertain in the face of the unexpected or new.

“When this happens, remember your training.”

He added: “While you may have different backgrounds, having read all your personal statements, I see a common thread — a desire to work together for the good of others to make Bermuda safer.”

Recruits who gave exceptional performances in fields such as academics and athletics were given awards at the ceremony.

Khamp Edwards, 31, received the Baton of Honour as the best all-around graduate.

The recruit from Jamaica said he was “in shock” to receive the award.

He noted: “This course had been very competitive but I always tried my hardest.”

Mr Edwards served as a police officer in his home country for ten years before moving to Bermuda.

He said that he had to “unlearn and relearn certain things” during his training to adjust to the Bermudian system, while still putting his experiences into practice.

Mr Edwards said the exams were the hardest part of his course and forced him to apply himself.

He said: “I got up every morning. I studied as soon as I got a new topic.

“If I got a new topic today, by tomorrow morning I’m up as early as 4am studying.”

Mr Edwards added: “I’ve always tried to maintain a high level of confidence.

“Even if I’m not sure of what I’m doing, I still try to push my best foot forward and I always ask for help.”

Michael Weeks, the Minister of National Security, congratulated the recruits for taking the “bold and honourable step” towards protecting Bermuda.

He acknowledged the diversity of the class in terms of where they were from and their previous experiences.

Mr Weeks added: “Some of you have served in armies, worked in hospitals and hotels, and even held world records in sports.

“Some of you left behind careers in accounting, investigations, emergency medicine or hospitality. But what unites you now is the call to serve Bermuda — and trust me, Bermuda needs you.”

He thanked the families and friends who supported recruits throughout their studies and training.

Darrin Simons, the Commissioner of Police, welcomed the cohort into the “family” of the police service.

He added: “This truly is an honour and a privilege to serve our community in this capacity and it’s important to me that you do them proud, do us proud and do the community proud.”