The Secretary of State in the Ministry of Defence in charge of the National Gendarmerie, Jean Baptiste Bokam, has told 40 Gendarmerie officers to adopt exemplary and virtuous behaviour in their new command posts. The Gendarmerie Chief was presiding the closing ceremony of the 37th Officers’ Basic Training Course at the High Command of National Gendarmerie Schools and Training Centres, Camp Yeyap Barracks, in Yaounde on January 14, 2016.

The officers who were all fresh graduates from the Combined Military Academy (EMIA) in Yaounde, started the training on March 16, 2015. Presenting the course, the Commander of the Gendarmerie Officers’ School, Colonel Nke Magloire, disclosed that the training is obligatory for all gendarmerie officers and is intended to inculcate in them skills and aptitudes that will enable them command mobile or territorial units of the National Gendarmerie. It will also enable them serve alongside administrative, judiciary and military authorities and play their roles as judiciary police officers. After the 10-month training, all trainees scored above 10/20 average, with Captain Eyong Onana Honorine Emerentienne emerging as overall best. “Prove your worth in the field by showing competence, discipline, action and integrity,” advised Colonel Benjamin Bogmis, Commander of National Gendarmerie Schools and Training Centres.

The cadets who are being deployed in a context of high alert and vigilance prompted by the fight against terrorism, were also urged by Jean Baptise Bokam to give fresh impetus to their new units. “Your youth, coupled with your knowhow and other strengths, must not distract you from the culture of results, scrupulous respect of hierarchy, Criminal Procedure Code and loyalty to State institutions,” he advised.