By Bennette Roach
Course #4 police graduate prepare for Royal salute
It is the fourth since 2009. Course #4 of the Royal Montserrat Police Services (RMPS) commenced training from September 10, 2012 with five recruits. On Friday, March 15, 2013 four of the five finished and graduated in a Passing Out Parade where they showed off their new found precision drill skills, entertaining their family, friends and fellow officers in attendance to welcome them into the Service.
The event took place at the Montserrat Cultural Centre in a setting well away from the training centre run in Barbados prior to 2009. His Excellency Governor Davis, Premier Reuben T. Meade observed the ceremony, from a head table where Mrs. Delmaude Ryan of the Deputy Governor’s office was also seated.
In announcing the course, Chief, Recruitment Training, Inspector Derona Semper had said: “The objective of the course is to make each student officer efficient in the performance of general beat and patrol duties, to mold and develop the students’ character, mental and physical fitness, and to link instruction in theory and practice to give them vocational knowledge and skills.” (See http://www.themontserratreporter.com/rmps-recruitment-training-course-4/)
Officials at the graduation ceremony
On March 15, Commissioner of Police Steve Foster told the new officers and the audience at the graduating ceremony, as he underscored the importance of selecting and retaining officers in the RMPS, “Talented officers who continue to develop skills and increase their value to the organization and to the community of Montserrat are the most valuable and important resources.”
He added that as a result, “the training strategy of the Royal Montserrat Police Service actively pursue succession planning ensuring that officers are constantly developed to full the roles and the functions required to carry out the service.”
The ceremony was chaired by ZJB news personality James White Jr., who following prayers by pastor Hastings of the SDA church, gave some opening remarks. Following COP Foster, Deputy Commissioner Siddell, gave a brief overview of the training. The six month training course was to be delivered in modules, Orientation, Beat duties, Crimes against property, Crimes against persons, Multi-discipline.
Minister Colin Riley
The Hon. Colin Riley delivered a feature address in which he challenged and encouraged the new police, to embrace information technology as a means of enhancing their development. “I encourage you to master that technology for your police work and also for your personal advancement and growth as individuals…Your awareness, your understanding, your depth of intellect, has to be very sharp because this work is going require thinking, thoughtfulness, working collaboratively with people who have more knowledge and more experience than you,” he told them.
He further encouraged, there is optimism by the Montserrat leaders about our “future”. “Montserrat is entering a new age, and you are joining the force at the moment when allot of expansion and the demand for even better skills are being put on the table,” he said with the call. “This is what my call is for you today, is to take up the charge for this new Montserrat and to go forward with the confidence of knowing that the government stands behind you, and the police high command, are there to support you.”
The four graduating recruits who also competed during training for seven recruit awards, are: PC # 35 Phillip Mcpherson, PC # 57 Sheldon Martin, PC # 50 Rayon Rhone, and PC # 90 Damion Buckley.
Sheldon Martin receives one of his awards
Sheldon Martin received four of the awards. The best recruit award, for displaying maturity, high level of discipline, good interpersonal skills among other qualities; the best drill award, for exhibiting the best drill during the training; the best academic award for obtaining the highest mark in the written examination. He also received the deportment award for portraying a positive attitude and wearing the uniform with pride.
Phillip McPherson who strived for excellence in every segment of the training received the endeavor award.
The best public speaker award went to Rayon Rode as he was selected as the student who spoke the best during debates, while Damion Buckley grabbed the best physical fitness award.
Along with Inspector Semper there were numerous internal lecturers, from PC rank to Inspector; with two external lecturers, during the course.
PC Rayon Rhone delivered a recruit response, which preceded a presentation of awards, certificates; and gifts of appreciation by the graduating recruits culminated with a gift to the Chief Instructor Semper, nicknamed “weed whacker”.
A vote of thanks by WPC Brenda Gordon preceded a display of precision drills by the four police new comers, performed within the auditorium of the Centre, with a final salute acknowledged by the governor.
