Graduation day

I had the pleasure on Friday afternoon, past, to convene the graduation of 53 men and women and witness their attestation as Constables in the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

I felt a great sense of pride as I joined with hundreds of family members, friends and colleagues to share in this very special day. Young men, and women, from across geographical boundaries, community backgrounds and nationalities. People who had taken the decision to serve their community, and the people of Northern Ireland, through the very honourable profession of Policing.

As Convening Officer I have the privilege to be one of the first to address our very latest Constables. I took the opportunity to congratulate them but also to reinforce the need to make every encounter with the public personal and professional, to treat people as they would wish to be treated themselves – to use every opportunity to demonstrate that the Police Service of Northern Ireland can become the finest personal, professional and protective police service in the world.

These men and women have now joined the ranks of an organisation which has a critical and influential part to play in strengthening community support for policing and I have absolutely no doubt that they are totally up for it.

In a few weeks time these officers will be patrolling your streets and communities as your local police officers trying to get a sense of what is important to you and what makes you feel safe and this can only be achieved by your consistent support, as we work together towards a safe, confident and peaceful Northern Ireland.