Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has called on the 14 new officers of Cohort 4 of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) to be friendly, yet firm and fair.

The 4th Police Recruit Awards Ceremony was held at Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium, H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, in Paraquita Bay on Thursday, June 18, 2020.

“Just be you. Be the best you. As a new recruit, be careful who is in the boardroom of your mind. Choose the right person to make sure that you emulate. Treat every citizen as if it is your brother, your sister, your aunt, your uncle, treat them with respect because it is only what you dish out, you will get back,” Premier Fahie said.

“So be protective but also remember to protect. Be friendly but yet be firm, and be fair. Be consistent in how you administer justice and be consistent when you don’t have to administer justice, but you can. Be assertive but not rude; we see all over America what is happening with the officers, never for one moment think that it can’t be here but at the same time celebrate that it is not here because of how the force is.”

The Premier also urged them to "remember that relationships count” but make sure they have self-respect both on and off the job.

Police Commissioner Michael B. Matthews delivered remarks as well.

He said following six months of intensive training these officers represent the best of the recruitment drive that took place towards the end of 2019.

“We believe we have chosen well,” he added, stating that the newest batch now adds to nearly 70 new officers of the RVIPF since the start of 2017.

No parade

Meanwhile, His Excellency Governor Augustus J. U Jaspert said this year the usually grand ceremony with a parade was not held due to the Novel Coronavirus.

Nonetheless, he said to the officers, “You join one of the most important professions in the world at a time of extreme challenge. So I want to thank you for choosing a career where you dedicate your life to your profession to serving the public, to serving with integrity, to serving whatever happens in the world.”

He said this is something that they should be proud of, and it is his hope that they serve long.

The new constables officially began serving the Virgin Islands from June 19, 2020.