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The Cayman Islands Customs and Border Control Service (CBC) has welcomed 32 new Caymanian officers into its ranks following a recent successful recruitment drive.

Forming the largest recruitment class to date, the 32 Caymanian recruits bring varying professional backgrounds and areas of expertise, but all share a common enthusiasm for law enforcement.

The new recruits are currently being rotated through various sections of the Service as they undergo their initial on-the-job training whilst they await the commencement of the CBC Officer Basic Training Course in the near future. The rigorous four-month training programme, which includes theory and practical training modules, is designed to prepare and test the recruits for all eventualities in their new role as Customs and Border Control Officers. At the conclusion of their basic training, the graduates will be deployed to different sections within CBC. In welcoming the new recruits, Director of CBC Charles Clifford said, “I am pleased with the level of community interest in CBC as evidenced by the approximately 500 applications from Caymanians. The recruitment exercise was very competitive and time consuming but was certainly worth the effort. I congratulate our 32 new recruits on their success and welcome them to our ranks. They must remain ever mindful that as CBC officers we bear the heavy responsibility for collecting and protecting Government’s revenue and securing our borders. Through our collaborative work with our partner law enforcement agencies, we ensure the national security of our country and thereby allow our twin economic pillars of financial services and tourism to flourish.”

Deputy Director Marlon Bodden, who has responsibility for CBC’s Management Support Services Portfolio including the Training Unit said, “I look forward to delivering a robust and comprehensive training programme for our new recruits that will produce well-trained CBC officers who can function effectively in various sections of our agency. Excellence in customer service is integrated into our training programme and as a law enforcement agency, we have been consistent in our objective to be effective border control officers while simultaneously delivering excellent customer service.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Border Control Hon. Chris Saunders said, “I am very pleased to see that there are many young Caymanians interested in a law enforcement career with the Cayman Islands Customs and Border Control Service, and congratulate the 32 new recruits on their success in the recruitment process. As Director Clifford noted, they bear an important responsibility in their new roles. I am certain that with the strong guidance they will receive from Director Clifford, Deputy Director Bodden, and the entire senior management team at CBC throughout their training, they will be successful. I thank them all for their willingness and enthusiasm to serve and wish them well throughout their careers.”