The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) is delighted to welcome new recruits to its ranks. The local recruitment drive launched on 30 March has concluded, and eight candidates, five men and three women, were sworn in today as the RCIPS’ newest police constables. These successful candidates, ranging in age from 18 to 35, hail from academic and professional backgrounds in fields as diverse as business administration and computer science to physical education and medical technology. All candidates have completed or are pursuing college educations.

“I’m impressed with the level of interest and quality of candidates that we have seen this year from the community of Cayman,” said Police Commissioner David Baines. “Police recruitment is a highly selective and demanding process, but for the second year in a row we have seen that many dynamic young people in Cayman believe that being a police officer is one of the best ways they can serve their communities.”

The new recruits have undergone a robust recruitment process that consisted of an extensive application, two written examinations, a physical examination, an interview, a background check and a medical examination. Altogether the RCIPS received 283 applications. Of these, 166 applicants met the minimum criteria, which include the requirement that candidates possess Caymanian nationality or hold permanent residency with the right to work. Forty-seven of these applicants also passed the written test, and 27 subsequently passed the physical exam and were interviewed. Ultimately, eight candidates fulfilled all requirements and convincingly demonstrated to the recruitment panel their professionalism, dedication and integrity ­­– all critical traits of an effective police officer.

After being sworn in today, the recruits will begin 17 weeks of intensive recruit training, after which they will receive on-the-job training during their two-year probationary period. This training will prepare them to be posted in units such as criminal investigation, traffic, marine, air operations, financial crime, family support and the K-9 unit.

“Policing is a rewarding but demanding profession, and this exhaustive recruitment process is necessary to ensure that recruits have the skills required to succeed,” said Police Commissioner Baines. “In an effort to increase the chances of success for more people, however, we have actively encouraged women’s participation in this recruitment drive while extending the age limit from 30 to 40.” Three women and two people aged 30+ are among the successful candidates.

Aside from their other qualifications, a sense of social conscience and community spirit is also notable about the new recruits. They have an impressive scope of volunteer work that includes teaching, youth empowerment through music and sports, and church activities. All of them call Cayman their home and state that they are eager to protect it and our many communities as a RCIPS police officer.