Bermuda policing is about to be bolstered with new officers on Recruit Foundation Course 69 four months away from joining the ranks.

Fourteen officers, ranging in age from 19 to 46, make up the group and were unveiled to the media yesterday at Police headquarters, in Prospect.

“Law, procedure, officer safety and understanding recently passed legislation that gives Police new abilities — are some of the areas the recruits will be trained in,” said Acting Inspector Phil Lewis, the officer in charge of training.

Insp. Lewis reminded the Island that the service is “still a very exciting and rewarding career” and he added it’s a good way for Bermudians to give back to the community.

“We have four females and ten males and we also have two officers that are graduates of the Bermuda Cadet scheme.

“Our officers have just completed their first phase-exams, the first five weeks of the course, which lasts for 18 weeks.

“It’s a very challenging course, not brutal, but challenging. In addition to the use of the ASP (extendable baton) and handcuff training, we now have Captor spray, which is the latest tool in officer safety.”

One of the recruits, 46-year-old Lesa Stovell, a former design consultant and mother of an 18-year-old daughter, said she was motivated to join the Police at the urging of a friend, who is also a Police officer.

“It’s very interesting, I’m glad to have made it through the first phase” P.c. Stovell, from Somerset, told The Royal Gazette.

“The trainers have provided everything that we needed to make it through the first phase and I took advantaged of everything they provided.

“A Police officer friend of mine, who is a 25-year veteran, recommended and promoted it to me — she had everything positive to say about the service.

“And, in conversing with her during several occasions, it made me realise, ‘I have life experience and I enjoy doing things for others that gives me great satisfaction’ and that’s when I made the transition.”

Meanwhile Ian Morrell, 22, of St. George’s, decided that after three years working in the construction industry, it was time to make the switch to wearing a Police shirt.

P.c. Morrell, who spent two years in the Regiment as a Corporal, wanted to stay within uniformed service.

“I realised I really wanted to do something to help the country and this is my country — and I love it — I’ve decided to give back to it and I like the challenge.

“This is something that I want to make a career out of and it’s always been in the back of my head for years.

“There are different areas in the service I’d like to pursue, such as the Marine Unit, because I have a background in working with boats and mechanics.”

They are currently 442 officers in the force (not including the Reserve Police) and, if all 14 recruits are successful, they will boost its strength to 457 officers, seven below the established threshold of 464.

Once their training is completed, recruits must undergo a three-year probation period.

However, according to Robin Simmons, Police and Media Relations spokesman, recruitment is an ongoing process due to officers leaving the Service for various reasons.