The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

THE Department of Immigration yesterday welcomed its largest class of recruits, with 107 potential officers now enlisted in the force’s four-month training programme.

At a welcoming ceremony at the department’s Hawkins Hill offices, Director William Pratt applauded the class for their interest in serving, while imploring them to view their enrolment as the first step toward a promising future in national service.

Mr Pratt said Monday’s move was in direct correlation to the department’s effort to increase its number of officers. “It is our desire to increase our officer recruit to at least 700 officers,” he said. “As you know, we are an archipelago of many islands and cays and we do need to safeguard our borders.”

He added: “I want to welcome you, and I expect great things from you. We are asking that you bring with you your integrity. We ask that you be reminded that you are being hired as gatekeepers of this country. We do ask that you guard our heritage (and) our borders.”

Recruits are expected to undergo a four-month training programme that would encompass academic sessions and physical fitness activities.

Yesterday’s recruitment class comes three months after the department commissioned cohorts of 35 officers in New Providence and ten in Grand Bahama.