31 recruits of Course 43 are set to graduate, police passing out parade on Aug 14

The 31 recruits of Course 43 of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force are set to graduate next week signalling the end of more than 22 weeks of training and several other weeks of special assignments in support of law enforcement operations.

Inspector Eldrin Dickenson, Commandant of the Police Training School, said that the Passing Out Parade for the 28 males and three females of the course is set for Wednesday, August 14, 2019. The ceremony begins at 4:30 p.m. at the Police Training School.

The recruits are a diverse mix with nationals of Jamaica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica, Grenada, and St. Kitts and Nevis graduating. A national of the Dominican Republic also began the training on January 28, 2019, but has since withdrawn services along with two others. To Inspector Dickenson’s knowledge, this is the most diverse group that has ever been trained. There was a bit of a culture shock at the start of the course as the overseas nationals had to adjust to the food and way of life in St. Kitts and Nevis. It posed somewhat of a challenge.

“It was overcome with the use of the instructors who did a lot of mentoring and coaching and at times we had to bring in the Force Chaplain who would have had reason to speak to one or two persons to get them to understand they are in a disciplined organization,” Inspector Dickenson said.

The structures within the organization worked well and the recruits adjusted to the new environment and the rigours of police training. They bonded and began to help each other. They learnt subjects such as evidence and procedure, criminal law, general duties, weapons training, self-defence, physical training and community policing. Additional training was also received via the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) Connect which links to all the police training academies throughout the region to cover various subject matters. The main topic was Tourism Oriented Policing.

The commandant of the police training school extended an invitation for persons to attend the Passing Out Parade next Wednesday.

“I look forward to seeing as many persons, who are invited, to come out and see what the recruits have been learning so far and to look at the fantastic display that [is planned]. It may look a bit scary but it is okay, they will be safe,” said Inspector Dickenson.