President Wavel Ramkalawan praised a group of 20 cadets graduated who received their Certificate in Policing yesterday afternoon following successfully completing their course at the Seychelles Police Academy.
The graduation ceremony was held at the Seychelles Police Academy, Pointe Larue, in the presence of the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ted Barbe, the Chief of Defence Forces, Brigadier Michael Rosette, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Mr Francis Songoire, Acting Commandant of the Seychelles Police Academy, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Mr. Ron Bonnelame, Assistant Superintendent Vincent Marie, high-ranking officials from the Seychelles Police, police officers, staff of the academy and parents.
After the presidential salute, as the guest of honour, the President inspected the parade alongside the Guard Parade Commander, INSP Agathine.
The President expressed his satisfaction for seeing the young graduates taking up this noble profession as police officers whereby he noted that the public are starting to regain the trust of the Seychelles Police. He reminded them that the rule of law should be applicable across the board no matter what their affiliation with individuals in the community but to apply common sense so as to ensure order and peace is prevailed.
“I have no doubt that the direction that our Seychelles Police is going is one where we will see big accomplishments. I am proud to see a number of women also graduating today, thank you for joining this noble career. For you all new recruits, today marks a new chapter in your life and I wish that you take it seriously. Promotion in the Seychelles Police is based on meritocracy this means that you will need to work hard and answer to the call you have been assigned to. To show solidarity towards your peers and that you uphold the law that falls under the Seychelles Police,” said President Ramkalawan.
With the major reformed and development taking place the Seychelles Police Force, the President reassured the Seychellois people that the government remains committed to fight against illegal drugs trafficking in the country and encouraged the new graduates to take this as well as their primary mission so that the country can save its young people.
The highlights of the ceremony was when the new graduates took their oath before the guests and were presented with their certificates. Five awards were also given to cadets who excelled during their training.
The Best academic POTRU went to Constable Terence Barbe while Constable Winsley Marie won the award for the Field work POTRU. The most disciplined cadet award during the course went to Constable Rudy Pillay, while the award for the Outstanding Academic performer was given to Constable Shannon Morel and Constable Karine Derjaques.
President Ramkalawan had the honour to present the academy’s overall best performer Cheryle Labrosse with the President’s Cup.
Addressing those present, Commissioner Barbe thanked the officers for taking this most difficult, stressing and demanding career, but noted that policing is a noble profession. He underlined that the instructors and facilitators at the Seychelles Police Academy has taken up their time ensuring that the gain the maximum out of the training programme.
“I am certain that the training you have received were intense and sustain with a very high standard in order to prepare you for the road ahead. I also want to let you know that the training programme which include physical training, parachute instruction, simulations and practice session, where all develop with the goal of preparing you to do your best in this difficult job but utterly essential job enforcing laws of Seychelles. Dear graduates we all want you to be outstanding, work hard and to demonstrate great integrity in the diligence of your duties,” said Commissioner Barbe.
The ceremony ended with a parade which included the new recruits.