FREEPORT, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas -- During his address of the annual police church service in Freeport, Grand Bahama on Sunday, Minister of National Security the Hon. Wayne Munroe offered words of encouragement to police officers, while making a commitment to help make their job as easy as possible.

Minister Munroe made a commitment to members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force to be an advocate in seeking to get all the resources needed for police officers to discharge their duties throughout the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

In remarks at the Central Church of God service, he added that this commitment is made easier for the reason that the country's Minister of Finance is, himself, concerned about the welfare of the men and women on the police force.

Quoting biblical verses from the gospel of John 15:12-14, which speak about a greater love where one would lay down his life for his friends, Minister Munroe noted that police officers on a daily basis lay down their lives not just for their friends, but also for those who doubt them, and sometimes for those who don’t like them and make the job more difficult.

“We know for a fact that men and women of the Royal Bahamas Police Force have laid down their lives in the performance of their duties,” added Minister Munroe. “Indeed, Police Constable 1158 – Truman Cooper, the brother of Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Chester Cooper, bled and died on Fortune Beach, laying down his life on this island for us.

“So, your courage is unquestionable. I wish to remind you that integrity is not what people say about you, but it’s about what you do, and about who you are.  People may say all kinds of things about you, but your integrity is what you do and who you are. I want to encourage you that renewal is about brushing off and brushing up on the things that you have and not acquiring new things.”

Minister Munroe thanked newly-appointed Commissioner of Police, Ms. Shanta Knowles, for the invitation to the police church service in Grand Bahama, which carried the theme, 'renewing courage, integrity and loyalty.'

The National Security Minister told law officers that they have a leadership that began renewal at the top, noting that the first retreat on ethics was conducted by the Commissioner and the senior executive leadership team. That, he said, bodes well for the organization.