The Correctional Service of Solomon Islands has taken in new recruits in Honiara.
Director of Training, Paul Maefiti, told Solomon Times that the official graduation of twenty officers [last Friday] is part of forty successful applicants in training."We had vacancies put out in 2006 and received over a thousand applicants," he said adding that the other twenty will be recruited on the 23rd of February.
Six female and fourteen male officers have been recruited for the first twenty intakes.
One of the six female was recipient to the baton award.
New recruit, Nindi Topue, received the highest achievement from the Minister of Police, National Security and Correctional Service, Hon. Samuel Manetoali, who was present to witness the graduation.
Ms. Topue's achievement is the second in the history of CSSI for a female officer to take up the dux award of the correctional unit.
"This is a very good sign for a female officer to take up dux because male officers are usually the ones taking dux in their training," Mr. Maefiti said.
In his keynote address, Minister Manetoali noted on great improvement in the service following training on staff abilities and capabilities.
He encouraged the new recruits to put into practice what has been taught in their training to effectively carry out their duties as professional correctional officers.