A group of newly promoted police constables have been told that training alone will not make them good officers, unless they are personally committed to the force.

"Such a commitment would help eliminate the prevailing negative attitude that 'I am not on duty and this is none of my business,'" Police Commissioner Andre Kilindo told the 19 recruits at a passing out ceremony on Friday July 18.

"You must realise that you are a police officer at all times whether you are on duty or not as the maintenance of peace and public order rests on you" he said.
During the ceremony, Commissioner Kilindo also called on more youths to join the force, saying that the police have over 200 vacant posts.
"I am appealing to the youths who are well educated, courageous, motivated and who sincerely would like to contribute to the development of a more professional force
and help eliminate the bad elements in our society, to come and join us," he said.
Friday's ceremony was held at the Seychelles Police Academy (SPA) at Pointe Larue in the presence of Seychelles People's Defence Forces Chief of Staff Colonel Leopold Payet, SPA Commandant Jerris Beauchamp, as well as parents and friends of the graduates.
The new constables, comprising 10 young women and nine young men, had completed four months' training in areas such as crime prevention, detection and investigation, computing, police and public relations, civic education, international humanitarian law, among others.
Besides receiving their certificates, the recruits who had excelled in training were presented with prizes. The prize for best recruit for academic studies, a cup, went to Steve Nourrice, a former army officer, while Ronny Julienne and Lise Eulentin were awarded the second and third prizes respectively. Yosette Payet clinched the exemplary behaviour award.

The awards were presented by Commissioner Kilindo.
At Friday's ceremony Commissioner Kilindo also talked about relations between the police and public which he described as showing signs of improvement, but pointed out that more needed to be done to ensure that the police always dealt with members of the public in a professional manner.
On his part, Inspector Beauchamp said the training offered at the academy was being continually upgraded to render the force more efficient.

He announced that a refresher course would be organised soon for senior constables to further improve their knowledge and ability to deliver.

In her vote of thanks, new constable Stella Rachel urged her colleagues to always maintain a high level of discipline as prevailed during their training. 

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