Police are currently training 11 new recruits in a four-month training course, which will run until October.

It is a first recruit course and will see the new officers competent in a variety of fields. Acting Inspector for the training centre, Philip Lewis explained that their training will include law and procedures, officer safety and general core functions.

Asked if it was a demanding training course physically he said, "when they leave they will certainly be a few pounds lighter and a lot fitter he said, joking that the trainer had been named 'Mr. Boot Camp'."

Following the completion of the four-month course they will have the opportunity to learn from experienced officers in an additional six-week course.

Asked about his goals he said that after three years they would like to see successful officers who would hopefully remain in the field, noting that that had been a recent struggle for the force.

In regards to incentives for Police officers to keep serving Acting Inspector Lewis said that there were plenty of opportunities to diversify within the field and said: "It is not a dull job."

New recruit, Christopher Rodrigues agreed in his reason for signing up: "When you're a Police officer everyday is different. In regards to that lack of predictability being dangerous he said, 'that's a risk you have to take'."

Rodrigues who is 21 said that he would like to serve the community giving back to those who had helped him. He would like to see crime diminish and had thoughts of marine police further down the line.

Also 21, Jenea Saltus wanted to be a Police officer for the challenge and the chance to help. "The police service is about that," she said. "I want to help make a change."

Asked whether she would find herself in a difficult situation with her peers, she said that she did have friends who had been in trouble, but said, "none of them look at me any differently. They are behind me 100 percent."

Asked what she thought the main problem Bermuda faced she said: "Drugs."

She thought it was an issue that needed to be tackled and mentioned that she would rather talk to people to solve problems than use violence.

In the future she said she would like to specialise in juvenile and domestic crime. "I like children and I like teenagers. I can talk to somebody to help them to go in a better direction."

She did not have many concerns about being a female in the field and was confidant that her colleagues would back her up.

Speaking about his first impressions of the new recruits, Acting Inspector Lewis said, "they're very keen and they're very willing," but noted that it always started that way.

"It gets a lot tougher," he said and noted that later in the programme it would be clear who could cut it.

Asked what it took to make it he said, "fortitude," mentioning that the job demanded a lot personally and socially. "There are also a lot of benefits and a lot of rewards," he said.

His priority was combating crime and it was most important that the community feel safe.

Acting Inspector Lewis noted that there was a shortage of officers and said they were also currently recruiting from the Caribbean and the UK.

Acting Inspector Lewis said there were some criminal acts taking place that he never thought he would see here listing gang violence, the drive by shooting and attacks on females as examples.

"If there had been a survey ten to 15 years ago people would say this would never happen in Bermuda," he said, adding that he hoped to eventually get back to that level of safety in the community.