By Janet Silvera, Freelance Writer
Stewart
WESTERN BUREAU:
BRANDED AS exceptionally bright, she tops that by being articulate, eloquent and highly ambitious. Twenty-four-year-old woman Corporal Alecia Stewart does not partner mediocrity, she strives for excellence.
Barely a week ago, the former constable, was promoted to full Corporal, joining the rank as one of the youngest police officers to wear this title. "A feat, she never even needed to take an examination to pull off," said, Deputy Superintendent, Ernel McIntosh, of the Black River Divisional Headquarters. "She was promoted to Corporal based on her performance on the job," he said.
According to DSP McIntosh, the system requires four years service for eligibility to sit the examination for Corporal of Police, but she was promoted to this position within three years. "Cpl. Stewart's attitude to work is exemplary, her work ethics are exceptional, and she possesses good communication skills and can still afford to be humble in the process.
A born high achiever, she has never experienced what it means to fail an examination. When she entered the Police Academy in 1999, she left her imprint by being the Valedictorian of a batch of 86 graduates. In 2001, she again made her indelible mark when she graduated as Valedictorian of the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN) graduating class.
So what does the star cop have to say about her mass achievements? "I am really humbled by my most recent promotion, it makes me feel more responsible, more secured in my job and I am encouraged to work harder to continue to display my professionalism," was her response.
The former Manchester High School student says she was attracted to the Police Force by the uniform, "I admired policemen and women," she spoke candidly.
However, her attraction was not her only motivation; she felt her vibrancy and energy would be an asset to the force.
Not once has she encountered any type of discrimination since she entered the male dominated job. "We are in modern times, discrimination is not at the forefront, I have never come into contact with it," she boasted. Accordingly, she says remarked that she displays a level of professionalism and trust with her co-workers and they have treated her likewise. "It falls back with ones behavioural pattern," she added.
Cpl. Alecia Stewart is so hungry for knowledge that she juggles her time between getting a Mass Communication degree at the Northern Caribbean University in Mandeville and investigating and dissemination information as one of the two CCN Liaison officers attached to the Divisional Headquarters in Black River.
If you guessed it, you are right; she is also an honour student at Northern Caribbean University. "It is very challenging, but if you put your mind to it, you will achieve," she said.
Academically she knows she will be more marketable, more efficient and if she has her way, she is giving herself five years to reach the rank of Assistant Superintendent.
Her personal goal is to highlight how different and dynamic, members of the force can be.
At age 24, she has touched many lives in a positive way, one of her colleagues, Constable Orette Miller, whose life she has impacted on was happy to say, "having her as a friend gives me a sense of pride, I am happy to be associated, with someone who is so loyal, one who portrays such exemplary attributes."
