Now in week three of their training, one of the largest classes of Bermuda Police recruits in recent history has been working hard for the right to serve the Island.

This year's class, consisting of 23 cadets, is the first to host untrained overseas recruits. It's a move which Bermuda Police Service's human resources manager Michael Trott called "very successful".

"We still have a large pool locally," said Mr. Trott. "This is one of the biggest classes in the past eight to ten years, with both overseas and local recruits."

Of the local recruits, five are former cadets, while another two have served in the Police reserves.

PC Oswin Pereira, a former member of the reserves, said that he chose to enter the course for the excitement and challenge it offers.

"As a reserve, I had many experiences that were challenging," said PC Pereira. "It's the challenges that encouraged me to go full time. They don't bring down the standard for anyone. If you're not up to the standard, you can't get in."

PC Janeal Parson, a former cadet, sees work in the Bermuda Police Service as a step towards her desire to study criminology.

"I just basically wanted a foundation to start my life," she said.

The recruits praised both the course and their instructors, which keep the entire class motivated and working hard.

"You don't want to be average," said PC Parson.

"The instructors are great. They subject you to the training, and then they tell you why. There's always a reason," added PC Pereira.

The class is not only one of the largest, but also one of the most diverse, with six females and recruits aged from 18 to 46. The recruits' former professions included everything from firemen to teachers and chefs.

Acting Chief Inspector Steve Donnelly, who is in charge of the recruitment and training of the future officers, praised the class' size and diversity.

"This is an indication of the success of the cadet system and the healthy relationship between the cadet programme and the Bermuda Police Service," said Mr. Donnelly.