 For the first time in more than six years, police officers attached to the Special Services Unit of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force participated in and completed an important capacity-building basic training course. One of the standout participants characterized the training as a grueling exercise. We began physical training from 8.30 p.m. on Sunday and it lasted until 1.30 a.m. in the morning. The only reason I stayed is because I could not get a ride to go home. That night, the persons and members of the Black Bay community would have sworn there was a karaoke session in the back door because this is where we learned the KOS film song. I'm a born soldier! Prime Minister Hon. Philip J. Pierre also helms the National Security Ministerial portfolio. He lauded the efforts of the participants. You are doing something for your country. You are saving a life. That life could be your own, but most times it's a life of someone else. You are making Saint Lucia a better place for yourself first, for your children and for the people who live here. So your responsibility is awesome. You have the power that many people do not have. You have the power to detain people and withdraw their freedom. This is an awesome power. I want you to think of yourself as being very important people. You are very important people. You are the ones who keep the state safe. Each one of you is not going to be perfect. There are going to be times when you may get frustrated, but just understand that what you are doing is a labor of love. And when I hear the motivation and I hear the zeal in which you participated in that course, I feel very proud of you and very proud of members of the Saint Lucia Police Service. The newly trained SSU Platoon Commissioner of Police Milton Daisy Hopes will bolster the operational and tactical capacity of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force for an enhanced crime-fighting response. The proliferation of guns and incidents of gun-related violence in Saint Lucia have become worrying features of our societal existence. These unlawful activities must stop. We must bring an end to it and return a sense of safety and security to our citizenry. A total of 31 police officers completed the SSU basic training course, which was facilitated in part by former Commissioner of Police Osbert Rages. From the office of the Prime Minister, Rihani Isidou.