Farewell, Squaddie! ACP Charmaine Shand Retires After 38 Years — Cadet Porter Salutes the Class of 1988

A special pre-retirement tribute from Cadet Porter to Assistant Commissioner of Police Charmaine Shand — a fellow member of the JCF Class of 1988.

A SQUADDIE'S FAREWELL: THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS OF SERVICE

Some occasions call for criticism. Others call for debate. But there are moments when we must put aside our differences and give people their flowers while they are alive to appreciate them. Today is one of those moments. This is a salute to Assistant Commissioner of Police Charmaine Shand, my squaddie from the Jamaica Constabulary Force Class of 1988.

Charmaine is scheduled to retire on November 1, 2026, at the age of sixty. She enlisted on April 25, 1988, and our batch graduated on Friday, December 16, 1988. What followed was a journey of more than thirty-eight years in one of Jamaica's most challenging professions. That kind of endurance deserves recognition.

To every police officer who has the resilience, patience, discipline and fortitude to remain in the Jamaica Constabulary Force until retirement age, I lift my hat to you. To Charmaine in particular, I say: squaddie, you have made us proud. I could not do it. But you did. And I am genuinely pleased to celebrate you.

APRIL 25, 1988: WHEN OUR SHARED JOURNEY BEGAN

Imagine those young recruits entering the world of police training in 1988. Each one brought a different upbringing, different dreams, different strengths and a private picture of what the future might hold. For many, the uniform represented not merely employment but responsibility, dignity and a chance to serve Jamaica.

Police training demanded discipline. A recruit had to learn to obey lawful instructions, endure inspections, understand the law and discover how to work as part of a team. Drill, study, physical demands and the expectations of instructors helped turn individuals into a batch with a shared identity.

We were squaddies. The word has a special meaning to people who passed through training together. It captures memories that no outsider can fully understand: the anxious moments, the laughter, the hard work, the mistakes and the relief of overcoming each obstacle.

I do not pretend that every member of our batch followed the same path. Some would work in uniforms; others would enter criminal investigation; some would move on to different lives. Charmaine's path carried her all the way to Assistant Commissioner of Police. And today I look back on our shared beginning with admiration.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1988: THE DAY WE GRADUATED

Friday, December 16, 1988, remains a date etched in my memory. We had completed our training and were ready to walk into communities, police stations, divisions and assignments that would change our lives.

At graduation, who among us could have foreseen the next thirty-eight years? We may have dreamed of promotion, investigations, courageous service and professional success. But we could not know all the obstacles, disappointments, changes of leadership or personal turning points waiting ahead.

On that day, Charmaine and I shared a graduation. We did not share identical careers. That distinction is precisely why this tribute matters. Different outcomes need not destroy the respect formed at the beginning.

I have not seen my squaddie since that fateful graduation day. Yet time and distance have not erased the pride that comes from knowing a fellow member of the 1988 batch completed such a long professional journey.

Every police graduate should remember this lesson: the person standing beside you on parade may later rise to extraordinary responsibility, but the officer who takes another path may also leave a meaningful legacy. Rank and longevity tell part of a story. Character and service tell the rest.

THE STRENGTH IT TAKES TO SERVE UNTIL SIXTY

Thirty-eight years in policing is more than a number on a certificate. It represents years of duty, difficult decisions, personal sacrifice and adaptation. The Jamaica Constabulary Force operates under public pressure, changing policies and the ever-present reality that policing can be dangerous.

A long career also asks much of a family. There are missed occasions, fatigue, interruptions, unexpected demands and periods when police obligations come before personal convenience. The family members who provide encouragement often contribute more than the public ever sees.

Officers who remain for decades encounter younger colleagues, changing technology, new forms of crime, leadership transitions and a changing society. They must continually adjust while preserving the fundamental obligation to uphold the law and serve the public.

Longevity alone does not mean every decision was correct. No institution or officer should be beyond fair scrutiny. But recognizing perseverance is not the same as pretending that every action was perfect. We can celebrate legitimate service while still believing in accountability.

Charmaine, my salute is not a comparison intended to diminish the service of officers who left earlier. It is recognition of your determination to carry on through more than thirty-eight years and rise to the rank of Assistant Commissioner. That is a remarkable personal milestone.

I WAS A DIFFERENT KIND OF COP: FROM THE BELLY OF THE BEAST

My own journey through policing was shaped long before I entered the academy. I came from Jones Town and Concrete Jungle in Kingston 12, communities where I saw the suffering, fear and disruption caused by criminality at close quarters.

I have often described that background as coming from the belly of the beast. It means I did not learn about the hardship of the inner city only from official reports. I knew how violence could shadow the lives of mothers, fathers, children and decent people trying to survive.

When I joined the JCF, I was driven by the desire to confront violent crime and protect innocent citizens. I wanted to use courage and knowledge in service of Jamaica. I also believed that officers should recognize the humanity of those they were sworn to protect.

I dreamed of becoming the Tom Levine of my generation, inspired by the courage I associated with his reputation. But the ideal police officer is not defined by a willingness to confront danger alone. Good judgment, lawful conduct, integrity and restraint must accompany courage.

My experiences made me outspoken. They also made it difficult for me to fit quietly into circumstances where I believed something needed to be challenged. Charmaine and I were different individuals with different ways of seeing police life. But differences need not prevent mutual respect.

I LEFT THE JCF, BUT IT WAS STILL MY DREAM JOB

I must tell the younger generation something that may surprise those who know my criticisms of the JCF: I have never regretted serving. Being a policeman was my childhood dream job. The excitement of making a difference and the sense of purpose never entirely left me.

My departure from the organization was controversial. I resigned, and in my account of those events, I have said that certain officers sought my dismissal while I was overseas. I have criticized individuals whose conduct I believed fell short of police standards. Those are my personal recollections and judgments, not findings against every officer in the institution.

I did not remain until sixty. That is not something I hide, and it is not something that should stop me from congratulating a batchmate who did. A man should be able to acknowledge what another person accomplished without pretending that he had the same experiences or opportunities.

You can love a profession and still criticize conduct within it. You can question institutional decisions and still admire honest colleagues. Accountability and appreciation are not opposing ideas. Both are necessary if Jamaica is to build public confidence in policing.

To Charmaine, I therefore say that my praise comes without bitterness. Our careers parted in direction, but our shared history remains intact. Your achievement deserves its own spotlight.

CADET PORTER AND THE IMPORTANCE OF TRUTH

There is a value I have carried from my years in policing into my later life and public commentary: the importance of one's word. When an officer leaves an institution, the rank, posting and title may change. A reputation for speaking truthfully remains deeply important.

I have made a personal statement that I stand by: I do not believe that any member of our batch, including Charmaine, can truthfully say, 'Cadet Porter is a liar!' I know that people can disagree with my interpretations or recollections. Disagreement, however, is not the same thing as dishonesty.

Policing depends on evidence, accountability and credibility. Officers must be willing to correct themselves when new evidence emerges. A good reputation is not established by simply demanding that others believe us. It is built through conduct and a commitment to facts.

I urge younger officers to protect that reputation. Promotion is valuable, but the uniform eventually comes off. Positions pass to others. The name you leave with colleagues and citizens may last much longer than any title.

My message to squaddies everywhere is simple: we should be able to celebrate each other's achievements, disagree respectfully when necessary and remember the bonds that brought us into service.

A PERSONAL THANK-YOU FOR SYLFORD 'BOBBY REDS' WILLIAMS

There is a personal reason I wanted to deliver this message before Charmaine retires. I wish to thank her sincerely for her input and support connected with the funeral of my dear friend Sylford 'Bobby Reds' Williams.

When people pass away, memories become especially precious. We remember shared experiences, conversations and the kindness of those who helped during moments of grief. A thoughtful contribution can mean more than the person offering it ever realizes.

Charmaine, your involvement mattered to me. We may not have seen each other since our graduation in 1988, but that gesture reminded me that the ties formed through police service can retain their meaning across the decades.

I did not want another milestone to pass without saying thank you. In life, appreciation should not be reserved for the funeral podium. Give people their flowers while they are here to receive them. Today I am giving you yours.

TO THE YOUNGER GENERATION OF JAMAICAN POLICE

Every young constable watching or reading this should consider the difference between holding a rank and earning lasting respect. A promotion may show professional advancement; a title may bring responsibility. Neither removes the duty to treat citizens fairly or to lead by example.

Learn from senior colleagues, but ask good questions. Build your knowledge of the law. Develop your judgment. Be willing to listen to people in difficult communities. Never assume that everyone living in an area affected by criminality supports those who commit it.

Remember also that the public has a legitimate interest in how the police exercise authority. Brave policing must be lawful policing. Trust grows when people see consistent, principled conduct.

Police careers are not identical. Some officers will serve to retirement, others will move into different occupations and some may leave because of personal circumstances. Do not judge a person's entire life from that single fact. Measure the contribution more thoughtfully.

Above all, celebrate the honest achievement of a colleague. Jealousy destroys friendships; gratitude helps preserve them. The Class of 1988 reminds me that two officers can have very different life stories and still honor the same starting point.

NOVEMBER 1, 2026: A NEW CHAPTER

Retirement is often described as an ending. I prefer to regard it as a change of assignment, this time with the freedom to choose what matters most. Charmaine has spent so much of her adult life in service to the Jamaica Constabulary Force that a new daily rhythm may take some getting used to.

My wish is that she finds joy in time with her loved ones, opportunities to rest and the freedom to pursue whatever interests she has long hoped to enjoy. No public office should consume every chapter of a person's life.

A retired officer's experience can still be valuable to younger people. Mentorship, community service and honest reflection are possibilities, if that is the path she chooses. Equally, a quiet retirement among family and friends is worthy of respect.

To her family, congratulations as well. Behind an enduring public-service career there are often loved ones who made sacrifices and offered support. I wish all of you peace, good health and beautiful memories in the years ahead.

MY FINAL SALUTE TO MY SQUADDIE

Charmaine, on Friday, December 16, 1988, we were members of the same graduating batch. Almost thirty-eight years later, I am privileged to offer you this farewell tribute before your scheduled retirement.

You remained in the JCF; I took another road. You rose to Assistant Commissioner; my life led me to other service and public commentary. There is no need to diminish either journey to recognize the value of yours.

I lift my hat to the resilience and fortitude it took to reach this point. Thank you again for your kindness surrounding the farewell to Sylford 'Bobby Reds' Williams. Thank you for the part you have played in the story of our Class of 1988.

To anyone watching from Jamaica or across the diaspora, please join me in congratulating ACP Charmaine Shand and wishing her and her family a happy, healthy and fulfilling retirement.

Squaddie, I have not seen you since our graduation, but I have not forgotten where our shared journey began. I am proud of you. Enjoy your retirement, and may this next chapter bring you everything good that life has to offer.

United we win. Divided we lose! Substance over popularity! You watch, you listen, and you decide!

JAMAICAN YOUNG POLICE — Ex-Detective Chris Porter. SHARE this tribute with a member of the Class of 1988 and leave your congratulations for ACP Shand in the comments.

VIDEO: The tribute video link will be added when the verified Jamaican Young Police YouTube upload becomes available.

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THE SPECIAL BOND OF A POLICE BATCH

A police academy batch is something like a family joined by circumstance and common purpose. We did not choose every member, yet we shared discipline, instruction, anxieties and ambition. Decades later, names and faces still carry those memories. When a squaddie reaches a significant milestone, it gives the rest of us an opportunity to revisit the hopeful days of our training. That is why I wanted to speak now, before retirement, rather than wait until another occasion. The bond that began in 1988 deserves to be celebrated while Charmaine can hear the applause.

WHAT A LONG CAREER REPRESENTS

Think of the changes Jamaica has experienced since April 1988. Generations of citizens have grown older, technology has changed how police investigate crime, and expectations of leadership have evolved. An officer who remains in service across decades must constantly learn and adjust. Different commanding officers bring different approaches. Public expectations rise. The demands of family life do not disappear merely because someone holds a senior rank. To persevere through changing circumstances takes patience and determination, even though no individual career can be judged by longevity alone.

OUR GRADUATION DAY STILL SPEAKS TO ME

When I remember Friday, December 16, 1988, I remember possibility. For young recruits, graduation was both a reward for our efforts and a doorway to the unknown. We expected challenges, but none of us could have foreseen every difficult encounter, friendship, disappointment or opportunity that would follow. Our uniforms were symbols of the responsibilities ahead. Looking back, what strikes me most is how much each life would change. Charmaine is now preparing to retire with a senior rank. I took another road. Both stories started with the same batch.

WHEN TWO SQUADDIES TAKE DIFFERENT ROADS

It is possible to be proud of a batchmate without claiming to have experienced the same career. Our decisions were shaped by different duties, personalities and circumstances. I have talked openly about my conflicts with people inside the JCF, and I will not pretend that those experiences never happened. But their memory does not prevent me from recognizing another person's sustained commitment. A mature person should be capable of both recollection and generosity. We should not demand that every colleague follow our own route in order to earn our respect.

THE CHILD FROM THE INNER CITY WHO WANTED TO POLICE

My upbringing in Jones Town and Concrete Jungle gave me an understanding of the fear experienced by law-abiding citizens in communities affected by violence. When innocent people feel trapped between criminals and uncertainty, the actions of the police carry enormous weight. I joined the JCF because I wanted to protect people and make a difference. For me, police service was never merely a paycheck. I loved the idea of courageous investigation and honest enforcement. It was my dream job, even though the path did not lead to a career lasting until sixty.

COURAGE MUST WALK BESIDE INTEGRITY

I have spoken about Tom Levine as a figure whose reputation for courage inspired me. But courage can never be separated from responsibility. A police officer needs self-control as much as determination, evidence as much as confidence, and respect for life as much as willingness to face danger. Public confidence is won when citizens see both bravery and lawful conduct. I urge young officers to study the law, listen to communities and earn a reputation for fairness. They should aspire to be remembered not just as officers who were feared by criminals, but as officers who were trusted by decent people.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SERVICE AND SILENCE

Some people assume that loving an institution means never challenging it. I reject that idea. Responsible criticism is not the opposite of loyalty. If an officer witnesses wrongdoing, there must be a lawful and safe way to raise concerns. If citizens are mistreated, they should have meaningful channels for accountability. At the same time, praise should not be withheld from officers who reach significant milestones. We can recognize Charmaine's career while continuing to insist that the highest standards apply to everyone who carries police authority.

TO THE YOUNG OFFICER WHO FEELS DISCOURAGED

Perhaps you are serving in a difficult posting right now. You may be tired, missing your family or wondering whether your contribution is valued. Take care of your health and your loved ones. Seek support when you need it. Continue learning and remain faithful to the law. Do not let disappointment persuade you to mistreat the very people you swore to protect. And do not measure your worth solely by how quickly you are promoted. Some careers are long; others are short. What matters greatly is whether your conduct helps make Jamaica safer and more just.

THE FAMILY BEHIND THE BADGE

As we honor Charmaine, we should extend appreciation to the people who helped her along the way. Police families encounter interrupted plans, unexpected working hours, stressful moments and the worry that can accompany dangerous work. Their encouragement may be quiet, but it can sustain an officer through years of hardship. Retirement belongs to the family in another sense as well: it creates the possibility of time together without the same professional demands. I wish Charmaine's family a future full of warmth, laughter, health and memories they can share.

FRIENDSHIP THAT OUTLASTS A POSTING

People move to other towns, nations, professions and stages of life. They may lose touch with colleagues they once saw every day. Yet the sincerity of an old friendship can become clear in a moment of need. My appreciation for Charmaine's contribution surrounding the funeral of Sylford Bobby Reds Williams comes from that understanding. Her involvement mattered. It reminded me of the importance of a shared past and the kindness we can still offer each other even after long periods apart. I wanted her to receive my thanks directly, without delay.

HONORING COLLEAGUES WHO ARE NO LONGER HERE

Every graduating class is changed by the passage of time. Some of the young people whose names were called in 1988 may no longer be with us. Others may be living quietly after leaving the service. We should honor the memories of those who have died without making assumptions about the circumstances of their passing. We should also remember colleagues still alive who may appreciate a simple call or message. A retirement celebration can become an occasion to renew those bonds and recognize the fleeting nature of the years we share.

WHAT RANK CANNOT GIVE A PERSON

A senior title brings authority and responsibility, but it cannot guarantee affection, trust or a lasting good name. Those are earned through repeated decisions. The public remembers how officers used their positions and how they treated ordinary people. Colleagues remember who helped them, who acted fairly and who stood up for sound principles. Every retiring officer must eventually step away from the daily privileges of the role. The most meaningful legacy may lie in the lives touched and the positive example left behind. That is worth remembering when we salute a long career.

A PROUD MESSAGE TO OUR CLASS OF 1988

To anyone from our 1988 batch listening around the world, I send a special greeting. We were young when we graduated, and life has moved quickly. Look at what time has taught us. Some of us became parents and grandparents. Some moved abroad. Others found careers they never imagined on graduation day. Whatever your experience, I hope this moment inspires you to celebrate a former squaddie. Contact someone you have not heard from in years. Ask how they are doing. Thank them for a memory. The friendships of our youth need not disappear.

WHY I INSIST ON MY WORD

I have always placed great importance on telling my story as I remember it and on defending my credibility. I do not claim that my perspective is the only perspective on every event. I recognize that facts should be checked and that people sometimes remember the same situation differently. But I care deeply about honesty. When I say no squaddie can truthfully call Cadet Porter a liar, I am expressing how strongly I value my word. I invite everyone to judge accounts carefully, seek evidence, and understand the difference between disagreement and deliberate falsehood.

RETIREMENT IS A CHANCE TO BREATHE

A demanding career can leave little room for ordinary pleasures. The thought of sleeping without an early professional obligation, enjoying a relaxed visit with family or making plans simply because one wishes to may be appealing. Charmaine, I hope you enjoy those opportunities. You have spent much of your adult life inside an organization with schedules, duties and expectations that do not always yield to personal convenience. The next chapter is yours to shape. You may wish to mentor others, travel, rest or explore new interests. Each is a legitimate choice.

THANK PEOPLE WHILE THEY ARE HERE

I want everyone watching or reading to take something personal from this tribute. Do not assume you will always have tomorrow to say thank you. A kind message delivered today may be remembered for years. If a retired teacher helped you, tell that teacher. If a fellow officer supported you in a difficult period, reach out. If an old friend was generous during grief, acknowledge the gesture. We should not wait for funerals to discover beautiful things to say about people. This tribute gives Charmaine her flowers while she can appreciate them.

THE LESSON FOR JAMAICA

Our country needs strong policing and strong accountability at the same time. Citizens deserve protection from criminals. They also deserve officers who respect rights, apply the law fairly and accept scrutiny. Experienced officers can help pass these principles to younger colleagues. The public can likewise make room to honor legitimate professional milestones without turning every tribute into a fight about the institution's shortcomings. There is a place for debate and a place for gratitude. Today I am choosing gratitude for a squaddie who is preparing to retire.

THE LAST SALUTE BEFORE NOVEMBER FIRST

Charmaine, when November 1, 2026 arrives, I hope you feel the affection and pride of the people who value your years of service. I hope you remember our academy days with a smile. We have not seen each other since our graduation, but the passage of time has not erased my respect for the achievement of completing more than thirty-eight years. You made our batch proud. Thank you for your kindness in connection with Bobby Reds' funeral. May retirement bring peace to you and your family. Squaddie, enjoy every moment. I raise my hat to you.

A FINAL WORD FROM CADET PORTER

The uniform may eventually be hung away, and the daily duties may pass to someone else, but the shared history of the Class of 1988 remains. We began together, though our lives led to different places. This farewell is my way of saying that I remember, I appreciate, and I celebrate my squaddie. Congratulations, Assistant Commissioner of Police Charmaine Shand. May your future be filled with love, good health, joy and fulfillment. Substance over popularity. United we win, divided we lose. You watch, you listen, and you decide.

A LETTER TO THE YOUNG RECRUIT WE ONCE WERE

If I could speak to the younger Cadet Porter standing on that graduation parade, I would remind him to hold on to his dreams while making room for life's unexpected turns. I would tell him that not every disappointment represents failure, and that courage must be guided by wisdom. I would also urge him to stay in touch with his squaddies. At eighteen or twenty, it is easy to imagine that the people standing around you will always be close. Many years later, you discover that time, travel and responsibility can create enormous distances. Yet memories remain bridges that people can still cross.

LEADERSHIP AND THE LEGACY OF EXAMPLE

A senior police officer occupies a position in which small decisions can have large effects. Younger officers observe not only formal instructions but everyday conduct. They notice whether a leader speaks respectfully, listens carefully and applies standards fairly. They remember whether a supervisor makes time for a colleague who is struggling and whether mistakes are handled with integrity. The lasting value of experience is often found in such quiet acts. As Charmaine prepares for retirement, I hope younger members of the Force reflect on the importance of leadership that joins confidence with humility and authority with humanity.

WHEN A POLICE OFFICER FINALLY GOES HOME

Retirement can prompt mixed emotions. There may be happiness about freedom and family time, as well as nostalgia for colleagues, routines and a professional identity developed over decades. That combination is understandable. People often grow accustomed to being needed in particular roles, and the change can take adjustment. I hope Charmaine makes room for both reflection and celebration. The JCF has occupied a major place in her life, but it does not define everything she is or everything she may become. There are stories still to be written and pleasures still to be discovered outside the responsibilities of command.

WHY THE WORD SQUADDIE STILL MATTERS

Squaddie is a simple word with a long history attached to it. It reminds us that people who later held very different ranks once stood together as trainees. Each had to learn. Each faced the challenge of completing the academy course. Each began with hopes for the future. That common starting point can create a bond different from ordinary professional acquaintance. When I use that word for ACP Shand, I am not diminishing her rank. I am honoring the shared experience that came before the rank. I am saying I remember where we started, and I respect how far you travelled.

THE IMPORTANCE OF GRATITUDE WITHOUT RESERVATION

Too often we put conditions on expressing appreciation. We say we will congratulate someone only if they share our views, defend our decisions or agree with everything we have done. That is not the spirit of this tribute. Charmaine does not have to endorse my commentary for me to salute her retirement. I do not have to pretend that my career went the same way as hers. We can acknowledge honest differences and still extend good wishes. That is a mature form of respect. It allows us to remember our common history without demanding that every life story follow a single pattern.

MY HOPE FOR POLICE BROTHERHOOD AND SISTERHOOD

I hope the next generation of Jamaican officers learns to build bonds that continue after postings change and professional careers end. Look after colleagues who are struggling. Remember retired officers who may feel isolated. Show compassion when a fellow member loses a friend or loved one. Celebrate good work, but never conceal wrongdoing out of misplaced loyalty. Genuine brotherhood and sisterhood are strengthened by integrity, not silence. The same principle applies to the wider country: solidarity should help us protect innocent people and uphold the law, rather than excuse conduct that undermines public trust.

FROM THE BELLY OF THE BEAST TO THIS MOMENT

I have told stories about dangerous encounters, investigations and my own upbringing because I want audiences to understand why I feel so strongly about protecting people from criminality. Those experiences shaped the way I served and the way I speak today. Yet I also want viewers to see a different side of police life: the friendships, milestones and acts of human kindness that deserve acknowledgment. It would be incomplete to speak only about conflict. My farewell to Charmaine is a reminder that policing involves real people whose shared histories reach beyond disputes, postings and rank insignia.

A SALUTE TO EVERY FAMILY WHO HAS WAITED

Somewhere in Jamaica, a family is waiting for a police officer to return after duty. The day may have been ordinary or extraordinarily difficult. The waiting is part of the unseen burden that police families sometimes carry. When retirement finally arrives after decades, that family deserves a moment to celebrate too. I extend good wishes to all who helped Charmaine along the way, whether through encouragement, patience or practical support. May the coming years provide occasions for shared meals, laughter, unhurried conversation and the simple happiness of enjoying time together without the same demands of active service.

SQUADDIE, THESE FLOWERS ARE FOR YOU

Charmaine, I do not know when our paths may cross again. But I do know that I wanted to mark this moment publicly and sincerely. I remember Friday, December 16, 1988. I remember the dream of entering the Jamaica Constabulary Force, and I remain thankful for the opportunity to have served. My path led away from the organization; yours continued for more than thirty-eight years. That difference gives me an even deeper appreciation of the determination involved. I congratulate you on reaching this milestone, and I thank you once more for your thoughtful contribution surrounding Bobby Reds' funeral.

FAREWELL UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN

As November 1 approaches, I wish you the joy of a life that is no longer governed by daily police responsibilities. May you remain surrounded by people who care for you. May you have good health, peace of mind, meaningful activities and many happy years ahead. I hope our fellow members of the Class of 1988 join me in celebrating your journey. Let the audience share messages of appreciation and memories of service. Let the younger officers see an example of how to honor a colleague. From Cadet Porter to ACP Charmaine Shand: farewell, squaddie. You made us proud. I raise my hat to you.

TWENTY-MINUTE FAREWELL: THE FINAL SALUTE

One last thought about retirement: sometimes a milestone makes us consider how quickly the years have passed. I think about the young people we once were, and I wonder what we would have said if someone had told us that nearly thirty-eight years after graduation, I would be publicly congratulating my squaddie as she approached retirement at the rank of Assistant Commissioner. We might have smiled at the possibility, not knowing everything life had in store. Today that moment is here. The years may have changed us, but they cannot take away our shared beginning.

To those watching Jamaican Young Police, remember that an honest compliment costs nothing. If you know ACP Shand, consider leaving her a warm message. If you served with her, share a respectful memory. If you graduated in 1988, let us hear from you. We can turn this farewell into a moment of gratitude that reaches beyond one officer. Above all, may we carry the lesson into our everyday lives: recognize worthwhile service and meaningful acts of kindness before time runs out.

Squaddie, congratulations again. May you look back with satisfaction, look forward with hope and embrace a retirement rich in family, friendship and peace. Thank you for the contribution you made to my friend's farewell, and thank you for giving our class this occasion to celebrate. Our roads were different, but today we stand together in spirit. One batch, one memory, one salute. God bless you and your family. You watch, you listen, and you decide!