News Releases

UWI Estate Police Hosts Military-Style Passing Out Parade for New Officers

For Release Upon Receipt - September 25, 2025

St. Augustine


St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago – September 25th 2025 - On September 4, the Estate Police at The University of the West Indies (The UWI) St. Augustine Campus welcomed 29 new officers at a Passing Out Parade, which marked the end of a three-month training period for the first batch of this year's 2025 recruits, as part of its continued commitment to enhancing safety and security across the campus.

 

 Dr. Dawn-Marie De Four-Gill, Campus Registrar, with members of Campus Security and new recruits following the presentation of certificates at the UWI Estate Police Passing Out Ceremony 2025, held at The UWI SPEC on Thursday, September 4, 2025.

A symbol of discipline, service and unity, the military-styled parade with its drills and coordinated precision, allowed the officers to demonstrate the months of rigorous discipline, training and endurance that prepared them to take on the mantle of safeguarding the University community. As the 29 officers moved in measured and purposeful unity, the ceremonial pageantry was not as significant as the reflection of the resilience and teamwork forged during months of demanding training, that the parade underscored.

Held at The UWI Sports and Physical Education Centre (UWI SPEC), the new officers were enlisted as part of a highly competitive recruitment drive held on March 15 and 16 at the JFK Auditorium. Their addition not only strengthens the existing security force on Campus but also emphasizes the university’s proactive approach to safeguarding students, staff and visitors, while ensuring that the campus remains a secure environment.

 

 New recruits marching in place at the UWI Estate Police Passing Out Ceremony 2025, held at The UWI SPEC on Thursday, September 4, 2025.

In addition to keeping the campus community safe, The UWI Estate Police also has responsibility for protecting the university’s assets. The operations of the Unit include conducting regular patrols throughout the campus to detect and deter crime, while maintaining a visible presence and providing a timely response to any incidents or emergencies as the first responders.

The military-style Passing Out Parade, held at The UWI SPEC, brought together university leadership and the wider community. Among those in attendance were the Campus Registrar Dr. Dawn-Marie De Four-Gill, the Deputy Principal Professor Derek Chadee and the Director of Campus Security, Noel Corbett, along with other UWI officials, parents, spouses and other well-wishers who came to celebrate the occasion.

 

 (L-R) Mr. Noel Corbett, Director of Campus Security Services, and Sergeant Courtney Fergusson lead new recruits during the UWI Estate Police Passing Out Ceremony 2025, held at The UWI SPEC on Thursday, September 4, 2025.

While delivering the valedictory address at the event, Trainee Officer Tsyan Selvon reflected on the demanding physical activities that shaped the training period, noting that they were instrumental in preparing the cohort to serve the campus with confidence and discipline. Selvon, who was also honoured as the Most Outstanding Female, recalled:

“The first few weeks tested us in ways we never imagined. Every challenge, built resilience as we learnt endurance, discipline, and above all, mental fortitude and physical strength. We encouraged one another; we pushed through the tough mornings, and where some were tempted to quit, the unity of the group carried us through.”

The Estate Police’s training supervisory team, which included Estate Police Sergeants Courtney Ferguson and Oba Peru, Estate Police Corporal Alistar Moonessar, and Estate Police Constables Avral John, Kelly Ramai-Sahadeo and Kimberly Maloney-Jaggessar, were also highly commended by the new recruits. Training instructors also included Major Sarwan Boodram, Sunita Ali, Marlon Robinson, Lystra Sebro and Corporal Kevon Beatrice.

 

 Members of The UWI Training Team in attendance at the UWI Estate Police Passing Out Ceremony 2025 (L-R): Woman Estate Constable Kimberely Meloney-Jaggessar, Woman Estate Constable Kelly Ramlal-Sahadeo, Estate Constable Avral John, Estate Constable Alistar Moonessar, Sergeant Oba Peru, and Sergeant Courtney Fergusson. The ceremony was held at The UWI SPEC on Thursday, September 4, 2025.

 

Trainee Selvon also highlighted, "Our instructors, in their unforgettable ways, carried us through. It didn’t take me long to realize that the lessons and drills weren’t only about becoming an estate police officer; they were life lessons that would stay with us far beyond the walls that enclose this campus."

As she invoked the university's motto, "Oriens Ex Occidente Lux" (A Light Rising from the West), Selvon affirmed that the 2025 cohort is ready to serve the campus diligently and added, "Today, we rise as that light, carrying forward the discipline, strength, and knowledge this training has given us to perform our duties. To my batch, today we are well-oiled moving parts. We are polished, we are prepared and we are proud and ready to serve.”

This milestone dovetails with the Campus’s comprehensive safety and security framework, which includes the 24/7 800-SAFE toll-free hotline, extensive CCTV surveillance, security escorts at night, a reliable shuttle service and strong partnerships with both private security and the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS).

Further reinforcing this layered approach are well-lit walkways, constant 24/7 Estate Police patrols, and strategic partnerships with both a private security provider and the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS). Additional features such as mobile and foot patrols, emergency call stations across campus, and heightened security at halls of residence ensure vigilance at every level.

 

 A new recruit with family at the UWI Estate Police Passing Out Ceremony 2025, held at The UWI SPEC on Thursday, September 4, 2025.

Speaking on the significance of their passing out, Officer Trainee Selvon said it best when she stated, "We left our homes to join this experience. Today, we consider The UWI a home too, and we are at your service and ready to protect our new home, as it is also our own."

 

END

About The University of the West Indies

The University of the West Indies (The UWI) is the Caribbean’s premier higher education institution and one of only two regional universities in the world. With five campuses across the English-speaking Caribbean and global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe, The UWI continues to be a beacon of academic excellence, research innovation, and societal impact. Consistently ranked among the world’s best by Times Higher Education (THE), The UWI is a global leader in addressing critical challenges, including climate change, sustainability, and development.

 As The UWI St. Augustine Campus celebrates its 65th anniversary in 2025 under the theme Beyond 65: From the Caribbean, For the World, it pays tribute to its Caribbean roots while highlighting its contributions to solving global challenges. This milestone underscores the campus's significant role in producing ground-breaking research and fostering talent that transcends regional boundaries to shape a better world. The UWI St. Augustine’s researchers, academics, and graduates continue to make an international impact, exemplifying the university’s mission to serve the region while influencing the world.

 Learn more at www.uwi.edu 

 

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