Press Releases

The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, through its partnership with the Cayman Islands Ministry of Education & Training, is pleased to announce that two RCIPS officers have been awarded government post-secondary scholarships to pursue a BSc in Professional Policing at the University of Portsmouth in England.

Constable Shemar Dawkins, who is assigned to the Traffic and Road Policing Unit, and Constable Shabovoye Douglas, who is assigned to the George Town Police Station, commenced the three-year degree programme in September 2026.

The academic programme includes practical instruction in areas such as evidence-based policing, complex investigations, community policing, intelligence, public protection and the management of criminal investigations. It also examines the legal, ethical and professional standards governing modern policing, while developing the skills required to respond to serious and complex crime.

Constable Dawkins expressed his gratitude to the RCIPS for investing in his professional development:

“It is with great pride that I accept this opportunity to pursue further study at the University of Portsmouth. I am deeply honoured to have been selected to represent the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service and the Cayman Islands in the United Kingdom in this endeavour. I wholeheartedly support this initiative to invest in the education of two young Caymanians, as it will serve to strengthen leadership capacity and preserve institutional knowledge within our Service for years to come. I extend my sincere gratitude to the RCIPS senior leadership team, and to all others who contributed to this opportunity, for their confidence in entrusting me to represent our Service. I am committed to applying myself fully and excelling in my studies.”

Constable Douglas said the programme would expose the officers to evidence-based policing strategies critical to the modernisation of police operations:

“I am very grateful to the RCIPS and the Ministry of Education for giving me this opportunity to complete a Professional Policing Degree at the University of Portsmouth. It means a lot to me…I am a firm believer in evidence-based policing and I am looking forward to bringing back the knowledge and the skills required to best assist the officers in dealing with very serious and complex crimes.”

Commissioner of Police Kurt Walton said the scholarships represent an investment in the future capabilities of the RCIPS:

“As the nature of crime continues to evolve, particularly in areas involving serious, organised and transnational crime, it is essential that the RCIPS continues to strengthen the knowledge and capabilities of its officers. I am confident that Constables Dawkins and Douglas will gain valuable theoretical knowledge and practical training that they can apply upon their return to duty within the RCIPS. This investment will also support succession planning, leadership development and the retention of valuable institutional knowledge within the Service. I congratulate both officers and wish them every success in their studies. This partnership with the University of Portsmouth and the Ministry of Education & Training provides young Caymanians with an academic pathway to pursue a professional policing degree and will continue into the future.”