Media Release
Micronesian Public Safety Academy Graduates 2nd Class
July 17, 2009
On July 16th, the Second Micronesian Public Safety Academy Graduation was held at the campus of the former Pohnpei Agriculture and Trade School (PATS). The graduation concluded a 2009 Police Academy program funded by the U.S. and FSM governments, administered by an Australian police advisor, and taught by FSM national and state police instructors.
The ceremony commenced with the raising of the FSM state and national flags and the graduates’ procession into PATS church. Following the FSM National Anthem and an opening prayer, speeches were given by Pohnpei State Chief of Police Joseph Roby, Pohnpei State Lieutenant Governor Churchill Edward, and Academy Commander Joab Paul. An awards presentation proceeded and certificates were awarded to both students and Academy staff. Academy Valedictorian Delincoln Norman Jr. led the class in reciting the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics. The ceremony concluded with a song from the Academy’s Pohnpei Delegation. Australian Police Consultant Donna Fenlon served as Master of Ceremonies.
Also attending the ceremony were Secretary of Justice Maketo Robert, FSM Senator Peter Sitan, Chargé d’Affaires William D. Douglass of the U.S. Embassy in Kolonia, Chargé d’Affaires Qin Jian of the Chinese Embassy, Second Secretary Mariko Harada of the Japanese Embassy, and Pohnpei State Attorney General Scott Garvey. Also present were the members of the FSM Law Enforcement Association, which coordinated training for the Academy. FSM National Chief of Police Pius Chotailug heads the Association.
The First Micronesian Public Safety Academy was held in 2007. Upon receipt of a $107,000 Technical Assistance Grant from the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI), the Academy began its second session on April 20, 2009. This year’s academy recorded forty seven graduates: fourteen from Chuuk, twelve from Pohnpei, nine from Yap, two from Kosrae, and ten from FSM National. Three of the graduates were female.
The ceremony marked the end of a rigorous three-month training regimen at PATS. The participants endured classroom and physical training six days a week, from 5:30AM to 10PM.
When asked the highlight of this year’s Academy, Fenlon noted “watching [the students] grow and develop into self-confident individuals able to give back to their communities” to be an extremely rewarding experience. “I think all of the students were surprised as to what could be achieved when they applied themselves personally and professionally. Witnessing this realization was like watching forty-seven light bulbs go off over forty-seven young minds.”
Although plans to continue the Micronesian Public Safety Academy have not been cemented, Fenlon stressed the need for ongoing law enforcement training in the FSM; “A permanent Academy would not only produce additional well-qualified public safety officers, it would also enable current officers to update and enhance their credentials. Having continuous training at PATS would benefit both those in the program and the communities which they will eventually serve. It’s a perfect opportunity for capacity building.”