Last Friday 61 BavPol cadets graduated and were officially sworn in at a ceremony at the Belair Community Centre.
The new officers have joined the ranks and will work along with different law enforcement agencies and continue to build a career within the country’s judicial system. In the meantime they will be throughout the communities to protect and to serve. A next new group of BavPol cadets is expected to start in June.
"Congratulations are in order for the 61 BavPol officers who were sworn in last Friday. Today, they are law enforcement officers fulfilling the role of enforcing the laws of the land.
"The job that each one of these officers has taken upon themselves is due to the fact that they want to help people and give back to their community.
"These new law enforcement officers must remember that enforcing the law is only part of the job. The rest of the job is volunteering your time in different community organizations, and helping your family, friends and neighbours in the communities that you serve as they depend on law enforcement to protect and to serve.
"From the onset, the Government has placed fighting crime priority number one. It will take time to build up our law enforcement agencies to an optimal level, but we are well underway. I must commend my colleague Hon. Minister of Justice Roland Duncan for a job well done to date.
"Despite the many challenges that the Government is being confronted with, we are keeping on track to fulfil the expectations of the community where fighting crime is concerned.
"I salute the willingness of the former cadets who are now officers to take on the calling of fighting crime on our beloved Sint Maarten.
"Law enforcement graduates must uphold the honour of the Sint Maarten badge by maintaining integrity and keep the public’s trust because the Sint Maarten community have entrusted these graduates to keep them safe and protected from harm.
"The graduates have shown discipline and commitment and I thank them for choosing to serve our community," Vice Prime Minister Hon. Theo Heyliger said on Sunday.