New graduates to beef up police force |20 August 2014

A group of 55 cadet constables and 15 Public Security Support Wing (PSSW) officers graduated yesterday after completing an 18-month training at the Seychelles Police Academy (SPA).

The ceremony was held at the SPA at Pointe Larue in the presence of Vice- President Danny Faure, Minister for Home Affairs and Transport Joel Morgan, Chief Superintendent Godfra Hermitte, the Commander of SPA Superintendent Francois Freminot, high-ranking officers and parents of the graduates.

The subjects covered during the training included profession of police officer in the Seychelles context, self defence and restraining skills, human rights, acts, laws, rules and regulations in the context of policing, among others.

The ceremony started and ended with a parade inspected by Minister Morgan.

There were special prizes for outstanding performances: Alain Barallon won the President’s Cup, Best Outdoor (PSSW) went to Leeroy Moustache, best Academic Performer (PSSW) was Darrel Dugasse, Overall best (PSSW) was David Lanclume, Work Base Experience best performer went to Sabrina Fanchette, Most Disciplined went to Diana Marcelin and the Best Academic Performer went to Stephanie Agathe.

Addressing the graduates Minister Morgan said: “The career you have chosen is more than that, requiring an inner discipline that will reflect credit to you not only as a good citizen and a manner of your community, but also as an upstanding officer of the Seychelles Police Force. The force will took to and expect you to comport yourself in a manner that represents the ideals of police service, being in part but not limited to service without fear, malice, or ill will. Service of a high order where one fully supports the law, respects one’s colleagues, setting aside prejudices and respecting the rights of people as afforded by our constitution.”

Minister Morgan took the opportunity to congratulate and wish the cadets the very best in their career and added: “This graduation ceremony is one more reason to recognise another positive step forward for the police force of today! I look to you now to add to what is good about our police force and to deliver a service which we as a nation and my ministry can be proud of.”

Thanking everyone who had helped in making the ceremony a success Superintendent Freminot advised the cadets to “go out there and make a difference. From assisting a victimised child to helping an elderly… make a difference. From interviewing the witness of a violent crime and arresting the most daring criminals make a difference, from talking to the most difficult person to talking to this law abiding citizen make that difference. Make a difference in and out of your uniform.”

Speaking to the press Cadet Alain Barallon, winner of the President’s Cup, said: “I did not expect this, but throughout my training I have always aimed for the best and now I have seen the result. I do not know yet where I would be based but I surely know that any section that I will be placed I will work to make a difference. Help in maintaining peace and order in our country.”

The graduates in souvenir photographs with guests