The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK
Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREEPORT - Assistant Police Commissioner Emrick Seymour urged police officers in Grand Bahama to “put their best foot forward” and do their best at all times when discharging their duties and policing obligations to the public.

“We are servants of the public and we are not doing them any favour by attending to their particular needs – that is why we are called police officers,” ACP Seymour said on Monday at the Police Training College.

A group of 15 corporals completed a four-week Corporal’s Development Course. The training exercise is geared towards improving the professionalism of officers on the Force.

Mr Seymour stressed that the training and retraining of police officers is very important.

“It is imperative that we train and retrain our officers to keep them on the cutting edge and to remind them of their duties and responsibilities as police officers.

“Priority Six of the RBPF Policing Plan speaks to professionalising our service to the public, and this corporal’s development course ensures that (our officers) provide the best service possible.”

ACP Seymour said officers should conduct themselves professionally and courteously at all times.

He urged the graduating corporals to be good examples to their subordinates.

As corporals, he said, they are considered first-line supervisors.

“Remember they are watching you. Hence, your actions and behaviour should be above reproach at all times.

“I want to challenge you to have the right attitude. A negative attitude or bad attitude is like a flat tyre – it won’t get you anywhere. You have to change it if you expect to go anywhere and make a positive difference,” he explained.

The police chief warned that law enforcement officers are being challenged today more than ever before in the history of the country.

He said members of the public are depending on the police, who are bastions between law and lawlessness.

“We have a sworn duty to ensure that we uphold the laws that govern our country, but we have to do it with care, respect and trust.

“We are servants of the public, we are not doing them any favour by attending to their particular needs. That is why we’re called police officers.

“Put your best foot forward and be the best officer you can be. Let’s minimise or eradicate the number of complaints coming in about the improper conduct on the part of police officers.”

Assistant Police Commandant of Police Training College, ASP Kevin Mortimer said the group of corporals did very well overall, completing the exam with an average grade score of 89 per cent.

“It is the highest we have seen from any group completing the course,” he said.
ACP Seymour commended the group on such a “remarkable achievement”.

“I want to extend and express congratulations to each of you on a job well done. I am confident that you will not let us down as we seek to make the Bahamas a safe place for both residents and visitors:
Awards and certificates were presented to the participants. Cpls Cassidy Smith of the Abaco District and Randy Lewis of CDU were tied for first place. Cpl Michael Miller of the Eastern Division was second, and Cpl Reo McPhee of the Criminal Records Office was third.