Acting Commissioner of Police Junior Benjamin received high praise and recognition from his alma mater, Signal Hill Secondary School.
On Monday, the school held an Appreciation Ceremony themed, ‘Home Is Where the Heart Is.’
Speaking to a packed auditorium on Monday, the Top Cop shared his life story with students. He reflected on 1989, when he failed the police examination, but said this did not deter him.
“I got a call while I was changing, and my mom said, ‘Junior, the phone.’ As I picked up the phone, I said, ‘Hello, Junior Benjamin.’ They said, ‘Mr. Benjamin, we are calling you from the police headquarters, and what happened is we have 33 people, and we need 35, and you are the highest failure. Can you come back?’ In 1989, the highest failure is standing before you today as the Commissioner of Police.”
Acting Commissioner Benjamin left encouraging words with the students as he reminded them not to allow the pressures of life to define them: “Understand it is not what happens to you that is important, but what happens in you.”
He also assured the students that the Police Service has their best interest at heart.
“I want you to know that your voice is important to the Police Service, and I want you to know that whatever you have to say, the Police Service cares about hearing your voice and what you have to say.”
Principal Arianne D’abreau-Forde acknowledged Mr. Benjamin as an example to the students.
“From the standpoint of the nation, you are one of the finest examples that parents can hold before their children and one that young persons can hold as inspiration for their own.”