Potential recruits told to be serious about policing

Persons desirous of joining the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Force (RSVGPF), are being reminded that policing is “serious business” and they should not “just look at a pay cheque”.

This advice has come from police officers responsible for the training and personal development of new recruits, who note that time management and discipline are among the areas where improvements need to be made.

Speaking on WEFM’s Activated Morning programme on the topic, ‘Recruitment, Training and Development of Officers in the RSVGPF’, Police Constable, Tamika Simmons-Spence, attached to the Human Resources Department, highlighted punctuality and deportment as challenges experienced with recruits, revealing that some present themselves in casual rather than formal wear.

“You would receive the call and we would brief you- tell you to be there for 8 [a.m] sharp, dress formally, and persons would show up 8:30 or minutes to nine and the excuses are not good either. Applicants need to be serious, and work on their punctuality.”

Applications to the RSVGPF are open year-round to candidates aged 18 to 29 years, while persons who are past the cut-off age can still be considered for entry at the discretion of the Commissioner of Police. Candidates are required to be of good moral standing with no criminal record; have up to five CXC’s; and are subject to a background check and polygraph interview.

If accepted, recruits then undergo an intensive six-month training programme which includes academic, spiritual and physical instruction.

In her contribution to the discussion, Station Sergeant Bernadette Matthews, said at the training school time management has shown to be an area of weakness for some recruits.

“We have a packed programme, we cannot delay, so time is of the essence.”

She also highlighted that discipline also is a problem, outlining that when persons are at home “…you wake up whenever you want, and do whatever you want, but at the training school, you are told how, when, everything and you get a little resentment from some persons.”

The team of officers who work closely with recruits and potential recruits, urged the persons who are considering entering the Police Force to come with a serious attitude, be prepared to work hard and not enter with the mindset that they will work only in one department.

“Policing is dynamic and it requires a lot of discipline. When they want to apply, I ask them if they are sure this is what you want to do because it comes with a lot of challenges. “Sometimes people just want to join for on-the-surface reasons like ‘I like the Black Squad Unit’.

“If you are interested, make sure you are serious, you are committed and dedicated. This is serious business,” PC Simmons-Spence pointed out.

Corporal of Police, Noellia Lavia added that the job of protecting the country’s citizens should be viewed and treated as a privilege for all who are seeking to enter the RSVGPF.