Court bids farewell to rolled over guard

(CIJA): Public service that went beyond the call of duty was honoured on Wednesday 10 December, when a court security officer was feted in a farewell ceremony attended by the judiciary and staff of the courts. Headed by Chief Justice Anthony Smellie, court staff and the judiciary gathered for the farewell ceremony in honour of departing security officer, Emelson Principe, who had served at the courts for four years. Returning to his native Philippines, he is departing in fulfillment of an immigration requirement. Speaking on behalf of judiciary and court staff, the chief justice said that Principe was the “embodiment of service.” 

The departing officer was honoured for his dedication above and beyond the terms of his job, the Chief Justice said, noting that, as one staff had observed, they had never heard the word “no” from him.

Court Administrator Kevin McCormac said,  “Emelson was the epitome of service; both as a security officer and as an acting court marshal, he was efficient, dedicated and considerate – nothing was ever too much trouble for him and he consistently performed his duties to a standard over and above that which could reasonably have been expected. We will all miss him very much.”

As a coincidence, on the eve of his departure, just hours before the ceremony, Principe had jumped in to apprehend an offender who had tried to escape as he was being brought to appear in court. 

Security Officer Principe was appointed acting court marshal 18 months ago, acting as and when required. As a mark of respect for his dedication, staff from all levels of the court, including judges and magistrates, joined in the widely attended ceremony. 

The chief justice presented an engraved clock and a monetary gift to which many people had contributed. Chief Justice Smellie said how sorry he was about Principe’s mandatory departure and that he hoped that he would return in a year’s time.

Principe served as part of the court’s security detail provided by National Security Services Limited. In December 2013 he had also received an award for outstanding service to Judicial Administration.