Bermuda's latest police recruits officially joined the ranks at Recruit Foundation Course 73's passing out parade.The one hour ceremony in front of Police Headquarters was distinguished this year by the first ever female leader, Inspector Charlene Thompson, who directed the march and conducted the sword drill.The event was also notable for its blunt references to Bermuda's struggle with guns and violent crime.Cheers and applause greeted the ten new recruits: Pc Kidane Collins, Pc Michael Charlton, Pc Rhiannon Furbert, Pc Cecilia Rogers, Pc Khalid Pitcher, Pc Christopher Brady, Pc Patricia Jeffers, Pc Kristyn Minors, Pc Nathaneal Tannock and Pc David McHugh.Prize winners were also recognised the Instructor's Cup went to Pc Furbert and Pc McHugh; the Best All Round Athletes were Pc Rogers and Pc McHugh, and the Deputy Commissioner's Cup was presented to Pc Pitcher.Award winners were Pc Rogers (academic prize), and the Blue Syndicate of the recruits for an “exceptionally close” bid for the Commissioner's Shield.The coveted Baton of Honour went to Pc Minors, who took loud applause for completing the ceremony in spite of a knee injury.“It's painful right now, but it's worth it,” Pc Minors said afterwards, standing with friends and family members.Valedictorian Khalid Pitcher told the recruits to act as examples and be above reproach: “With authority comes privileges, and a person who values privilege above principle will lose both,” he warned.There were also stark references to the challenges facing new recruits, in speeches by Acting Governor David Arkley, and Police Commissioner Michael DeSilva.“You're all graduating here today at a time of great challenge for the Bermuda Police Service,” Mr Arkley said.“It's admirable that you have chosen to volunteer in the face of such challenges.”Administrative challenges, he told the recruits, could wait until later.“The challenges you face today are going to be the criminal variety. Over the past year and a half, Bermuda has faced an unprecedented surge in gun and gang crime, as you're all undoubtedly aware.”He said: “As you deal with the alleged perpetrators, bear in mind that you are helping not only the victims of the crimes you're investigating, but also you're helping Bermuda as a whole. The more success you have, the more secure Bermuda will feel.”Mr DeSilva, meanwhile, quoted Martin Luther King, Jr: “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”The Commissioner told his new officers: “Do not be under any illusions, members of RFC 73, about what lie ahead of you now.“In your time at the service, you will experience challenge and you will experience controversy. You begin your policing at a time when gangs, guns, violence and drugs continue to present significant threats to this community. In the short time since you joined the police, we've experienced six shootings, one of which was fatal. That's one for every month of training that you've been through. And while the pace of those shootings is far slower than it was this time last year, there's every indication that there are those still within our community who are determined to wreak death and injury on other people. You begin your policing at a time in our history when there are more calls for service than ever before, more arrests being made by the police than ever before, more stop and searches than ever before.”Mr DeSilva called upon the new recruits to show integrity, determination and commitment, before welcoming them into the police family.After a closing prayer by police chaplain, Bishop Rev. Dr Lloyd Duncan, the recruits performed a one minute drill and marched past the onlookers, to the music of the Bermuda Island Pipe band.The traditional charitable presentation went this year to the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre: a cheque for $3,520 was given to education officer Rhonda Smith-Simmons.