The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Cadet Academy celebrated the graduation of 35 young men from Cohorts Four and Five on Thursday, June 25, at the National Police College of Jamaica (NPCJ).
The ceremony was attended by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Merrick Watson, Director of NPCJ; Mr. Lawrence Ogilvie, Commandant at NPCJ; Superintendent Rochelle McGibbon-Scott, who oversees the Ports Division–Newport West; along with other senior officials, as well as proud families, educators, and well-wishers who gathered to witness and celebrate the achievements of the graduates.
For many of the graduates, the day represented the culmination of a demanding journey marked by growth, perseverance, and transformation. Throughout their time at the Academy, the cadets were challenged to excel academically, strengthen their character, and discover personal abilities they had not previously recognized. Although they came from different communities and backgrounds, their experiences gradually merged into a shared journey built on structure, integrity, teamwork, and service.
Established in September 2021, the JCF Cadet Academy is a secondary academic institution for males aged 16 and 17. It delivers both CSEC and CAPE programmes alongside structured leadership training and personal development. Principal of the JCF Cadet Academy, DSP Tanecia Johnson, explained that the institution “was created to equip young men with the requisite academic qualifications, discipline, leadership skills, and practical experience needed to transition into the JCF, pursue higher education, or enter the workforce.”
She further noted that admission is highly competitive, involving written examinations, physical and medical assessments, integrity screening, and interviews. Ultimately, this rigorous selection process shapes the journey that leads to the graduation milestone now being celebrated by the cadets.
Academic and personal excellence were also recognized during the ceremony, with cadets receiving awards across multiple categories. Cadet Andrew Davis distinguished himself by securing three accolades—Best All-Rounder, Most Improved Cadet, and Best Defensive Tactics Skills. Other awards recognized achievement in areas such as academics, behavior, physical training, drill, kindness, and overall performance across both cohorts.
A special moment during the ceremony came as each cadet was presented with gifts from family members and school staff in recognition of his hard work and dedication. The symbolic presentations reflected pride, encouragement, and appreciation for the journey each young man had undertaken.
Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner of Police Merrick Watson commended the families for their continued support, noting that “your support, sacrifice, and encouragement have played a critical role in the success of these graduates,” while encouraging them to remain actively involved in the cadets’ continued development beyond graduation.
Valedictorians Cadet Anthony Clarke (Cohort Four) and Cadet Javier Parchment (Cohort Five) reflected on journeys that shaped them into resilient and determined young men. Clarke described the experience as “challenging, demanding, and at times exhausting, but also rewarding and transformative,” while Parchment highlighted how the structured environment fostered resilience, teamwork, and personal growth.
Delivering the keynote address, guest speaker Mr. Elton Johnson, Education Officer for Physical Education in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, praised the collective effort behind the graduates’ success. He encouraged them to “never stop learning, continue growing, continue serving, and continue striving for excellence,” while cautioning against complacency and fear. He reminded them that “graduation is not an ending but a beginning… a starting point of greater opportunities, greater responsibilities, and greater achievements,” urging the young men to carry these lessons forward as they stepped confidently into the next chapter of their lives.
The ceremony concluded as a celebration of achievement and transformation, marking not only the completion of training but also the beginning of a new chapter defined by purpose.
