John Culatto
The Chief Minister Fabian Picardo called working in the police ‘the most worthy of endeavours’ in a speech to new recruits yesterday.
The message was part of a presentation of 19 new police officers who would help increase the massive amount of work the RGP is charged with on the Rock.
However, he also pointed out that law enforcement officers were not above the law themselves and applauded the way some officers have been prosecuted ‘for failing to live to the highest standards’.
“To all, with tact and good humour, you will be a friend that will help when most needed or a foil that will prevent a breach of our laws,” said Chief Minister Fabian Picardo.
“Today, as we grapple with ever more sophisticated issues you will be entering a career that will take you from the role of the traditional Bobby on the beat, to cyber sleuth and to see some things which the rest of us will never have to see.
“We must be alive to the reality that we are surrounded by crime, by threats to our security and threats to our safety.”
Challenges
With Gibraltar operating its own police force it has many different departments such as fraud and cybercrime that often overburdens the RGP.
This has been one of the reasons cited in the past for the lack of bobbies on the beat.
Picardo said that the RGP is a ‘defining characteristic of what makes Gibraltar British’.
“The same cannot be said of every country in the world with the certainty in which it can be said of the United Kingdom and of Gibraltar,” continued the Chief Minister.
“Today, you are taking up your posts in the hierarchy of law enforcement and therefore also in the hierarchy of the respect of the rule of law.”
He also praised the sacrifice of these ‘difficult duties’ which would require the support of families.
“They will need your support those late nights, those wet days and nights, those extended hours,” he concluded.
“The community is not blind to the importance of the contribution that you make to our freedom.”
“We are not blind to the vocation that drives you to do one of the hardest jobs in our society.”
