Pathologist Dr. Stephen King has urged police recruits to use their power to do good in society, rather than suffer the fate those who abuse power.

Dr. King, was the keynote speaker at the graduation of 58 police recruits and 40 correctional officers on the grounds of the St. Lucia Police Force Academy at La Toc, Castries on Friday.

“As law enforcement officers you will have power; you will need to be careful to ensure that you use this power to create good. If you use it otherwise, you will suffer the fate of those who abuse power,” Dr. King told the officers.

He told the recruits they must understand the community, and what pressures move the people in the community.

“There are many people that say we should have police and correctional officers from other countries or other culture; I say, ‘No’. I believe the law enforcement officers should by staffed by people from the communities, therefore with the understanding of those communities,” he said.

Meanwhile, Police Commissioner, Ausbert Regis reminded the officers to honour the police creed.

He advised them that they will be under scrutiny for two years, before being appointed to the force, according to section 17 of the Police Act.
This is not meant to be a threat, but Encouragement to do your best, Regis noted.

He also reminded them that they will be acting on behalf of the state while conducting their duties.
“When we are in bed at 2 a.m., you are on the streets representing the Commissioner of Police; you are representing the Minister of National Security, you are the ones representing the Government of St. Lucia to keep our citizens safe,” Regis said.

He encouraged the police recruits to take their jobs seriously and never leave their homes without God.
Forty correctional officers have also joined the staff of the Bordelaise Correctional Facility.
Director of that facility, Hilary Herman also had some words of advice for his new staff.

“I encourage you to continue educating yourself, and do not depend on in service training. We will do everything we can to provide in service training for you, but as you know, in these tough economic times, the training budget is always the first to go, make yourself competitive, design a career map for yourself. If corrections is your lifelong journey please prepare youself for it, there are lost of opportunities, but you need to take it,” Herman said.

“Always say what you mean and mean what you say and do not bring anything into the facility and do not take anything out.”

Jahlin Joseph obtained the Best Police Recruit Award, while Janius Descartes emerged the Best Correctional Recruit.