A dozen new police recruits started their careers on the beat yesterday after a passing-out parade at the service’s Prospect headquarters.

The new officers were presented with their certificates by John Rankin, the Governor, while Wayne Caines, the national security minister, handed out the trophies for sports.

PC Ryan Swan won the Baton of Honour award for best recruit.

He said afterwards: “I had a feeling I might be in the running, but there were definitely a few of us who could have won it.

“It wasn’t something I aimed for, but I always try to do my best.”

Mr Swan, 33, from Southampton, worked at Somerset Bridge Watersports before he joined the police.

The former Royal Bermuda Regiment bandsman said: “I joined because I wanted to do something for the island because I’ve been really fortunate and had a lot of opportunities.

“I wanted to give back.”

He added he would be stationed at Somerset Police Station in community policing, but was interested in the intelligence department.

But Mr Swan said: “I definitely want to on the street for a bit.”

Mr Rankin told the recruits that the terror attacks in Christchurch showed that tragedy could strike even the most stable of countries.

He said: “I know that your training will have been hard work, testing your skills and resilience. That’s as it should be.

“I wish each and every one of you well in your future work.” Mr Caines added the world needed men and women “as true to duty as the needle is to the pole”.

Commissioner of Police Stephen Corbishley said police officers “look after victims, we protect those that cannot protect themselves”.

He added: “As the 12 newest officers of the Bermuda Police Service ... policing is not just a job, it’s also not just about locking up bad guys.

“Policing comes from inside you — it’s the values you possess, the emotional intelligence and a good dose of common sense at times because the right thing to do is the only thing to do.”