The first graduating class of the diploma in police studies program was officially sworn in as recruit constables with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) at a special ceremony in the Field House on Saturday, Sept. 3.

Leading the inspection and swearing in of graduates was the province's lieutenant governor and honorary chief of police, Dr. Edward Roberts. The presentation of police badges was made by the minister of justice and chief of police, Richard Deering.

Speaking to the graduating class at a graduation dinner held on Friday evening at City Hall, Dr. Meisen, Memorial University president said, “We at Memorial are proud to have been a part of your development as community leaders and protectors. We consider it our responsibility to provide educational programs that engage and educate people, especially Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, but also to make our community, our province, a better place for the long term.”

Dr. Jim Black, former associate dean of the Faculty of Arts, added, “This is an extraordinary group of students who threw themselves into their studies with a passion and a will to succeed. They have done themselves proud and we at Memorial, and indeed the entire community, are very proud of them.”

Memorial University began offering a diploma program in police studies at its St. John's campus in the fall of 2004. The RNC and the university's Faculty of Arts had collaborated to develop the post-baccalaureate program and in early 2004 the provincial government announced that it would, over three years, train 75 new RNC officers in the program. For the first time, RNC cadets have been trained in the province; in previous years cadets attended Holland College in Prince Edward Island.

RNC Class of 2005

Danny Abbass, Goose Bay

Mark Abbott, St. John's (Dean's List)

Lisa Browne, St. John's

Brian Cook, St. John's

Lynn Downton, St. John's

Luanne Efford, Bareneed

Chris Harnum, Heart's Delight (Dean's List)

Chelsey Humber, Mount Pearl

Chris Hussey, St. John's

Sherry Legge, Corner Brook (Dean's List)

Jim Lynch, Goulds

Jason MacIssac, St. John's

Tammy Madden, Goulds

Amy Mollon, Lark Harbour

Talia Murphy, Conception Bay South

Chris Neary, St. John's

Shawna Park, York Harbour

Claire Priddle, Goulds

Cathy Quinlan, Mount Pearl

Karen Reynolds, Mount Pearl (Dean's List)

Michael Rose, Outer Cove (Dean's List)

Julie Shannahan, Goulds

Lisa Skinner, Mount Pearl

Lindsay Smart, Conception Bay South

Justin Soo, Grand Falls/Windsor

Jennifer Tait, Grand Falls/Windsor

Andrew Warren, St. John's (Dean's List)

Jessie Wilkins, St. John's