Six new recruits in the Anguilla Customs Department recently returned home having attended the Caribbean Customs Law Enforcement Council (CCLEC) Junior Officer Basic (JOB) Training Course in St. Kitts, from January 30th, 2017 to April 7th, 2017. Khamal Harding Hodge, Omando Hodge, Kendall Richardson, Alrique Rogers, Calan Vanterpool and Raheim Webster proudly represented the Department at the ten-week course which was successfully hosted by the St. Kitts and Nevis Customs and Excise Department for the eleventh time.
In addition to the six young Anguillians, twenty junior officers from St. Kitts, eight from Nevis and one from Montserrat, were given the opportunity to receive this training in a number of specialized Customs areas which included Communication, Situation Defusion, Initial Process, Legislation, Prohibited and Restricted Goods, Release and Accounting, Warehousing, Tariff Classification, Risk Assessment, Passenger and Baggage Search, Container Examination, Vehicle and Vessel Search, Marksmanship Principles and ASYCUDA.
Upon their return to Anguilla, the officers reported to Customs Headquarters where they were warmly welcomed by Comptroller of Customs, Mr. Travis Carty, who impressed upon them the Department’s high expectations of them as trained officers, before he instructed them on their new assignments.
The graduation ceremony for the CCLEC JOB Training Course was held at the Doreen McMahon Training Centre, Bird Rock, St. Kitts, on April 10th, 2017. The valedictory address was delivered by Khamal Harding Hodge whose performance on the course was exceptional, ranking first in a class of thirty-five. In doing so, he made history by becoming the first customs officer from outside St. Kitts and Nevis to have achieved this honour.
Mrs. Hilary Hazell, Financial Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, gave the keynote address and praised the officers for their outstanding effort and performance throughout, and encouraged them to always give their best while carrying out their duties. “You are responsible not only for collecting government revenue but, as civil servants, you have a duty to serve customers and to protect your country from importation of illegal goods“, said Mrs. Hazell.
As the ceremony came to its close, the officers were presented with their certificates by Comptroller of Customs, Mr. Georid Belle, who was assisted by Mrs. Hazell.
Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Mr. Glenn Hodge, attending the ceremony on behalf of the Anguilla Customs Department, presented a commemorative plaque to the St. Kitts and Nevis Customs and Excise Department, thanking them for their continued invaluable contribution to training and development. Omando Hodge gave the vote of thanks.
The graduation ceremony was followed by a social gathering with colleagues and other senior officials.
Anguilla Customs Department
