DESPITE continued public criticism of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) in some sectors, thousands of young people sought to join the organisation during its latest recruitment exercise, a response senior officers said reflected a continued willingness among citizens to serve the country.The number of applicants was estimated at more than 5,000, with about 1,950 applications received at the Police Academy in St James on Thursday.Deputy Commissioner of Police (Administration) Junior Benjamin said the level of interest was encouraging and demonstrated that many applicants remained committed to serving in the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.“There may be negative comments in the public domain about the service, but clearly, especially from young persons, they are still willing to come and join the service. They still believe in the service, regardless, given the numbers of recruitment that we are seeing,” Benjamin said in an interview with the Sunday Express.‘Cream of the crop’He said the goal was not simply to increase the TTPS’s ranks, but to identify candidates capable of raising the standard of policing across the country.“We are putting things in place to ensure that we find the cream of the crop because what we want is to improve the quality of service that we are giving to the public.”Benjamin said many applicants were expected to be eliminated as they progressed through written examinations, interviews and other stages of the selection process.“With the examinations and the different stages of the process, persons are going to be weeded out. But in the end, we believe the cream of the crop will rise to the top, and we will have officers and individuals who can really make a difference.”He said successful candidates would strengthen the Police Service’s operational capacity and support its goal of making communities safer.Benjamin said attracting capable recruits was particularly important as the organisation continued its efforts to improve policing and public confidence.He noted that policing today required more than enforcing the law, and said the TTPS wanted officers who understood the importance of serving the public.“There must be competence, but there must also be care and concern.”Benjamin said the organisation wanted officers who were knowledgeable, compassionate and committed to delivering better service to the public, adding that stronger relationships between police and citizens would ultimately benefit the country.He also urged prospective recruits to view policing as public service rather than simply another career opportunity.“This is not a situation where you are coming just to have employment. To be a police officer is much more than a career...it is a calling.”Benjamin said officers must be prepared to make sacrifices, including working long hours when required, because of the demands of the profession.“What we are seeking to do is to develop a new breed of police officers,” he said, adding that modern policing was “about customer service” and building the capacity needed to meet the expectations of the public.Benjamin said the police executive was pleased by the large number of applicants, particularly young people.“We are elated. We are very happy to see people stepping up to answer the call to the organisation.”He acknowledged that some applicants would be motivated by the opportunity to secure stable employment, but believed many also wanted to contribute to society.“We know there are quite a number of young people who are qualified and do not have jobs, so for them this provides a level of stability. But we also believe there are those who understand that they are called to make a difference in society.”‘Not just a job’President of the TTPS Social and Welfare Association ASP Ishmael Pitt also echoed Benjamin’s statements and welcomed the response to the recruitment drive, saying it showed that policing continued to attract significant public interest despite the profession’s challenges.“Young people are coming out in droves to be part of the organisation, and we welcome that,” Pitt said.Pitt said the turnout suggested many people still wanted to serve their country through the Police Service despite the pressures associated with the profession.“It is an indication that, regardless of the demands of policing, the challenges associated with policing, and sometimes the image of policing, people are still very much interested in serving the country and using the vehicle of policing to do so.”Although he could not say whether this year’s turnout was higher than previous recruitment exercises, Pitt said police recruitment had consistently generated strong interest.“Usually, police recruitment attracts a lot of people. Despite what persons may think.”He said the current response was consistent with that trend, even though final figures were still being compiled.Pitt also had advice for those hoping to become police officers, saying applicants should understand the responsibilities that came with the profession before joining.“This is a job that is very demanding, and you are going to be called upon to give of yourself.”He said recruits would face temptations during their careers and urged them to remain guided by the values taught during their training.“You must be able to withstand the challenges of temptation and other things that have the potential to sidetrack what you would learn at the Police Academy and what you should stand for in terms of the law, integrity and honesty.”Pitt said every officer should remember that policing was ultimately about serving the public.“We urge persons to be very much aware of the fact that they are serving members of the public and, as such, integrity, honesty, decency and professionalism should be paramount.”