Commissioner of Police Everton Jeffers has announced that recruitment is underway for the next intake of officers to the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda, calling on men and women committed to public service to apply.
According to Antigua News Room, the announcement was made during the graduation ceremony for the 50th Recruit Training Course at the Sir Wright F. George Police Academy, where 43 recruits completed the six-month training programme and officially joined the force. The graduating class achieved an overall pass rate of 95.6 percent.
With the new officers preparing to begin their careers, Jeffers signalled that the force was already focused on building its next class.
"As we continue to improve our services, we look forward to the next graduation batch of officers as the recruitment process has already started," he said. "I've mentioned before we're looking for a few good men and women who are committed to serving their country."
The commissioner made clear that policing demands more than a standard commitment. "Policing is not only an eight-hour job. It is not for clock watchers or those who simply look forward to a paycheck," Jeffers told the graduates. "Today, you're not just simply receiving a certificate of completion. You are accepting a sacred trust."
He outlined the qualities the force is seeking in prospective recruits. "We need men and women who have what it takes to be good police officers — men and women who are dependable, courteous, polite and sensitive to the needs of others," Jeffers said.
The commissioner also stressed the importance of composure and professionalism in the field. Officers must remain steady under pressure and serve as ambassadors of the force, he said, with their conduct reflecting the standard of training received at the academy.
Jeffers highlighted ongoing efforts to modernise the Royal Police Force, citing investments in additional K-9 units trained to detect firearms, explosives and narcotics, the acquisition of a ballistic identification system, and training in advanced radio communications, unmanned aerial systems and white-collar crime investigations.
Despite these advances in capability, the commissioner said the force's effectiveness ultimately rests on the character of those who serve. "We will continue striving for excellence every step of the way," he said. "Our aim is to remain an inclusive organisation that incorporates the public and the communities we serve."
