By Bennette Roach
(Adapted) The Royal Montserrat Police Service welcomed five new officers to its ranks last Friday, November 8, 2013 as it completed its fifth localised training programme for recruits.
Since 2009, the RMPS has been training new recruits on island rather than sending them off to the police training school in Barbados, which was previously the case. The recruits received more than five months of training from experts in a variety of areas in policing as well as communications, the law and social services. Acting Inspector Julian Wade completed the training after several major changes had to be made to staffing.
Police Constable Sophia Bruno copped the most awards with five. She was honoured as a member of the Best Debate Team along with PC Delbert Williams; Best Pistol Marksman, Best Debate Speaker, Best at Academics, and the Baton of Honour. Police Constable Junior Turton received the Most Disciplined Officer award in honour of their former training Inspector Elva Sweeney, who passed away during the programme. PC Shamoya Grant received the Endeavour Award; PC Leon Campbell was Best at Physical Training; the Best at Drills award went to PC Williams.
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Deputy Commissioner of Police Bradley Siddell said in his address: “the profession of law enforcement is continually evolving and adapting to an ever changing life environment. Nevertheless, the core objective of police basic training has remained the same.” This he explained was “to inject young adults with extreme volumes of learning in a sometimes harsh environment; to equip those with the basics to adapt to any real world human intervention and simultaneously “thicken their skin” for the unfortunate abuses committed my men and women.”
The top official said the five new police officers “will be exposed to the truth behind human nature. They will not simply experience the facades that some people portray. They will encounter persons when they are at their worst. Yet they will faithfully perform their duties when and where called upon in service to this Nation. The impact of our newest constables will be deep and wide provided they never forget nor neglect the principles of their learning as a recruit. This high volume knowledge transfer was designed for a reason. It must form the foundation of their future development which will extend into the twilight years of their careers.”
Siddell said this initial investment of training for the five officers comes with a continuous commitment to their development. “The RMPS Management Team will form a partnership with every Officer to ensure that each month they advance to a higher level of confidence. Our mission as a learning organization is to guarantee that any expectations do not exceed an officers competency nor confidence levels.”
The guest speaker for the occasion was new Magistrate Robert Anthony Shuster spoke on the topic, ‘The Rule of Law’ – no one is above the law, which he says is constantly evolving.
New Magistrate/Deputy Registrar
Mr. Shuster who comes, not without taint, was eventually introduced by the substantive Ag. Registrar, as having commenced employment with the Government of Montserrat, on October 7, 2013, as the Deputy Magistrate Deputy Registrar.
He has been in the legal profession for about 40 years, serving as a police officer, among several other legal positions as well as having previously served in the capacity as a Supreme Court Judge Kingdom of Tonga and as a Common wealth High Court Judge in Freetown Sierra Leone . He has also held the position of Senior Legal Advisor to the Magistrates and District Courts in Birmingham, Coventry and West Midlands Magistrate’s Courts.
Mr Shuster while referring the young police officers, to what their Inspector and Deputy Commissioner had said to them and the expectations of them, noted to them, “Public servants including police officers must be committed to the principles of democracy and fairness, fairness to all people,” in an acclaimed discourse on The Rule of Law.
The program included
Ag. Inspector Williams, gave an overview, while in response and saying thanks to relatives, well wishers, trainers and friends, PC Sophia Bruno, saying that course five would not have been successful without them, adding: “It was no easy leaving you behind as we began our transformation into becoming immaculate, competent and knowledgeable police officers,” promising further, “ to work diligently to help build a prosperous and peaceful society for all…this training taught to be a discipline and respectful individual and how to take a zero tolerance any form of illegality.”
The Deputy as he told the new officers they will transform lives by their mere presence, encouraged, “…I encourage each and every officer, not only our newest, to run towards the challenges and embrace change…Become an agent for improvement. Adapt to creativity and modernisation. Do not be idle. Do not become satisfied with the status quo.”
The ceremony concluded with precision drill designed by the recruits under the watchful eye of Sgt. Julian Wade, ending as they began with a salute received by His Excellency the Governor.
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