Cops seek new recruits

| 01/10/2013

(CNS): The RCIPS has begun a full scale search of the Cayman Islands for local men and women between the ages of 18 and 30 to join the police and boost the ranks of the almost 400 strong service. This recruitment drive is targeted at Caymanians and those who have permanent residency as the police look for up to 15 local people to join the existing number of Caymanian officers, which has fallen to 169. One of the few public sector agencies with a recruitment budget, the RCIPS said applications for the post of police constable can be made from today, Tuesday 1 October, up until Thursday 31 October, when the recruitment window closes.

 
All shortlisted candidates must pass each stage of the selection process and will be fully vetted before any offer of employment is made. The selection process encompasses an entrance examination, which comprises a written test in English and mathematics, a physical test, which is a multi-stage fitness test to a point of 5.4, as well as an interview and medical.
 
The new recruits will then undergo 16 weeks of initial training before hitting the streets under the direction of a tutor constable. All recruits must successfully complete a two-year probationary period.

Chief Superintendent Kurt Walton (45), a Caymanian who has risen through the ranks of the RCIPS, is keen to see as many local people as possible apply to join.
 
“It’s clear that the make-up of any law enforcement agency must reflect the diversity of the communities it polices," he said. "We currently have 396 police officers on staff; 169 of those are Caymanian. We, as a service, recognise that it’s vitally important to recruit, train, develop and retain local people. However, over the past few years the number of Caymanian officers has fallen below our preferred levels as a result of natural attrition. That’s why we have taken the decision to launch this drive specifically to recruit local officers.”
 
With a long career in the RCIPS, Walton said it is a fantastic career choice and there is a myriad of opportunities available, "not only in front-line policing, but also in the many specialist departments such as Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Air Operations,Financial Crime and the Joint Marine Unit," he stated. “But it’s not at all like ‘CSI’ or ‘Law and Order’; our officers deal with real-life situations, where people are experiencing real-life, critical issues. It takes dedication, hard work and commitment to be a successful police officer; we want to attract recruits who will rise to those challenges and help us make a difference in our communities,” Walton explained.

Sergeant Leo Anglin, who was the first inductee into the RCIPS High Potential Development Scheme (HPDS), is also doing his part to encourage local people to join the RCIPS. The HPDS was introduced in June 2010 and it aims to develop young Caymanian officers who demonstrate the potential to rise through the ranks of the Service. To date, 26-year-old Sgt. Anglin, who coincidentally was born in the same year that Walton joined the RCIPS, is the only officer on the scheme, but he hopes that will all change as a result of this latest recruitment drive.
 
“I would encourage anyone with an interest in law enforcement to seriously consider joining us,” he said.” I cannot speak highly enough of the training and the mentoring that I have received since joining the RCIPS four years ago. I love the job, but it is not without its challenges. It is hard work, but it is rewarding work – and I would recommend it as a great career choice for any young Caymanian.”
 
Applicants for the posts must be physically fit, computer literate and have a sound educational background. They must have no criminal convictions – in any jurisdiction — and truthfully declare all information requested on the application form. It’s important that potential recruits have sound social awareness and an interest in criminal law.
 
Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 30 on the date of appointment – which is anticipated to be 31 March 2013.
 
It is anticipated that the selection process (examination/ physical test/ interview and medical) will begin in January 2014.
 
Officers and Human Resources staff will take part in a number of visits to educational establishments and events during the month of October to raise awareness of the recruitment drive. Details of these events will be made available in due course.
 
An open day will be held at the RCIPS Training and Development Unit between 9:30am and 2pm on Saturday 5 October, 2013. Anyone who wants to find out more about becoming an officer, or the recruitment process, is encouraged to attend. Officers, Training and Development staff and Human Resources staff will be available to answer any questions. Details of an open day to be held in the Sister Islands in mid-October are currently being finalised.
 
Anyone who wants to find out more about the post should visit the RCIPS website or email rcipsrecruitment@rcips.ky
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  1. Anonymous says:

    Here's a great idea, they should go out and hire the guys running around sticking everyone up, it will give them a chance to clean up thier act since we all know that if they had jobs they wouldn't be robbing ans stealing, becuase they are actually upstanding citizens that were forced into crime becuase they were on the verge of starving and there were no jobs what so ever because people only hire expats even though they've been knocking down the doors of every company looking for a job any job.

  2. Anonymous says:

    The RCIPS should look to fill the ranks of the USG with members from the local gun club. 

  3. Knot S Smart says:

    Is that Foolio wearing a police uniform now?

    Next thing the Jordanian will be wearing one too…

  4. Anonymous says:

    What we need is more Caymanian officers.  There are too many Jamaican officers in the RCIPS who came here not because they cared about doing a good job but came here for a better life. Most of them cannot write a report to save their lives and cannot communicate effectively or solve crime.  They  drive up and down wasting time and do not  even respond to reports when they come in because most of the time they are home eating.   I know this for a fact!!!.  Stop throwing away money on officers that are simply here to collect a paycheck  which by the way the mojority of it they send home to JA.   Hire quality people we do not need more we need better!!!! 

  5. Capt. Obvious says:

    Not to point out the obvious but it would seem to make sense for the RCIP to be recruiting from the Cayman Islands Cadet Corps. That programme is a logical feeder for all branches of uniformed services. Let's get this done!

  6. Money Put in the Wrong Place! says:

    When will they start investing in more Immigration Officers to patrol our borders and enforce the Immigration Laws???

  7. Anonymous says:

    Why wasn't this done years ago???

  8. Anonymous says:

    the last thing cayman needs is more caymanian police…… it hasn't worked before and it won't work this time….

  9. Anonymous says:

    more civil service austerity………zzzzzzzzzzzzz

  10. Whodatis says:

    I have nothing but words of support and encouragement for this scheme and any able Caymanian thinking about joining the RCIPS.

    Generally, a career as a police officer is respectable, well-paid and secure. Unfortunately it is one often subject to internal politics and the whims of bad apples at the top. This is common in every country / city.

    We need more Caymanians on our police force.

    Policing 101: A community is best served policing itself.

  11. Anonymous says:

    We are very proud of Mr Walton. Perhaps we can have some more recruits from Cayman Brac and some Grand Cayman Police as well. Sometimes when theres a dispute between a Caymanian and any other and one of their very own is called the poor Caymanian is always at fault. Real tired of the favourtism Sorry But I had the bad experience my very own self. However I have heard of similar situations from years ago.

    • Anonymous says:

      You have a couple of rums when you wrote this? I hadto read it twice to understand what you were trying to say!

  12. Anonymous says:

    This is a great idea, but to bring interest they must first introduce it to the High School in the form of a curriculum. At age 18, most students are already groomed to become bad or good. The recruitment needs to come around age 12 and 13 during their adolences and groomed throughout their high school years. According to recent statistics, most crimes are committed by 15 to 25 year old, so yeah I believe the recruitment process needs to start earlier. Teenagers today consideres the Police, as criminals themselves.

  13. Cap'n Crunch says:

    How about a full scale search for the thugs who are destroying the country????

  14. Anonymous says:

    Is age-discrimination in this regard legal?

    • Anonymous says:

      Yes, if in doubt about the status of something in Cayman, assume third world and backward until proved otherwise.

  15. Anonymous says:

    As a former Police Sergeant, I strongly encourage those whohave a true desire to help people; those who do not compromise principle and those who are prepared to give up much of their private life to be a Police Officer 24/7, 365, to apply. 

    I spent over a decade in the service, and though I've moved on to 'greener pastures', Policing is still near and dear to my heart!

    Policing is not a simple matter, or a position of exaltation. To be a good officer, one must possess humility; loyalty and integrity! With these qualities, and the technical training required, one will aquire above average skills, which will enable him/her to branch out to almost any other career path that he/she may later aspire to.

    I've taken the knowledge that I've learnt from the RCIPS and I've applied it in my new career. Basic principles of confidentiality; professionalism and more importantly the ability to listen more and to speak less are a mere few that that I've taken with me, and ones that are so vital in our everyday life.

    Representing the Royal cayman Islands Police Service should be a great honor. And no matter what people say, the uniform is a representation of the people you serve and the person you are-ever endeavoring to make our Cayman a better Cayman!

    An old saying in the service was: The chain is no stronger than it's weakest link! when the RCIPS fall, aren't we all affected!? So, if you have what it takes, do something about it!!!!

    The RCIPS is worth a try!!!

    God bless the RCIPS.

     

    • Anonymous Police says:

      What a pile of rubbish you forgot to mention the 30 odd lawsuits by former and existing officers about how they are being ill treated and unfairly dismissed Really some people clearly need to hear the real truth about the RCIPS "some challenges" WOW! Mann  Cayman has some liars Boy! How about catching that prisoners with that 400 police we supposely got Open you eyes Cayman see what is happening and for peace sake stop listenig to BS. Join the RCIPS but talk to everybody and then make the confident choice knowing the truth aleast.

      • Anonymous says:

        Dear Sir/Madam,

        I understand your point, and I totally agree that there were instances where an officer was dismissed unfairly, as I was one of those officers, but whether we like it or not, the truth is the truth-Policing does have a lot to offer genuine people who possess the right mind-set and skills, whether they are white or black, rich or poor etc.

        The RCIPS is an organization made up for a diversity of personalities-about 400, right?! But for a change to happen, each officer/aspiring officer must decide to start the 'change' with themselves FIRST.

        There are certaing principles that governs the conduct of an officer, and if the officer abide by these and build on their skills and tact, I think they will be an outstanding officer, and not only that, but they should also benit personally as I've mentioned in my previous post.

        Again, to all eligible persons, Cayman need you, and if you have 'What it takes', please do what you can to bring about a change for the better.

        I am strongly considering joing the Special Constabulary, just becasue I appreciate all the good that the RCIPS has done for me.

        The RCIPS is WORTH a try!!!!

        May the good Lord bless the RCIPS.

  16. Anonymous says:

    400???? Where dey be at THOUGH?!

    • Anonymous says:

      With an Island as small as it is…and if there are 400 plus police officers, the crime in the cayman islands shouldn't be as bad as it is now should it…400 officers can't patrol an island 27 x 9 (give or take)???? You are lucky if you see a police car once a week patrolling, they should out in force either on foot, motorcycle or car if there are 400 officers.  

  17. Anonymous says:

    Calling all Caymanian Terminators…your country needs you!!!

  18. Thompson and Thomson says:

    Thomson: "My dear fellow RCIP should simply waive the requirements for a clean police record and drug tests and they will get plenty of new recruits."

    Thompson; "Between ourselves, to be precise, I agree!"

     

  19. Anonymous says:

    OK, qualified folks get down there..And tell us your story we'd like to hear about your progress..