* Photo by Kageaki Smith. Proud moment: PC Andrea Jackson, daughter of former police commissioner George, shakes hands with Governor Sir Richard Gozney at this week’s passing out ceremony.
* Photo by Kageaki Smith. Proud moment: PC Andrea Jackson, daughter of former police commissioner George, shakes hands with Governor Sir Richard Gozney at this week’s passing out ceremony.
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Policing comes naturally to PC Andrea Jackson as she follows in her father's well-trodden footsteps.

The new police officer is the daughter of former police commissioner George Jackson.

The 24-year-old was inspired to sign up to the police force after "growing up watching what her daddy did."

Her dream came true at Wednesday's passing out ceremony and she's ready to make a name for herself just like her dad.

PC Jackson said: "I've been surrounded by police all my life, I'm just doing what comes naturally to me.

"I don't mind all the comparisons, it's to be expected, I am doing just what my daddy did."

PC Jackson said she's similar to her father "as far as determination goes."

She said: "I'm determined to go up in rank. I don't just do a job, I do it well."

When asked whether PC Jackson thought there would be a second police commissioner from the Jackson family, she would only say: "I plan on working up there."

The stories

PC Jackson remembers watching her dad going to work when she was a child. The former Warwick Academy student recalls her father being a plain-clothed detective and having to spend six months in England on a training course. And as she's grown up she said she's "been told all the stories."

PC Jackson was a police cadet, but then left the island when she got a scholarship to go to university in Houston.

But she remained determined to return to Bermuda "and finish what I started" in the police.

She said: "I was excited (about the passing out ceremony) but I just wanted it to hurry up and end because I just want to get out there and do my job."

PC Jackson's parents, siblings and young niece were all there to watch her graduate from training school at police headquarters on Wednesday.

PC Jackson's brother Gavin even had his own role in the passing out ceremony as a member of Bermuda Regiment.

Mr. Jackson, who retired last year after four years as commissioner, said he was "just so proud of her." She is his first child to join the Bermuda Police Service.

He said: "I'm sure she'll do a great job serving the community.

"I never encouraged or discouraged her, I just supported her decision, it's what she's always wanted to do.

"She's remained very focused on her career choice."

Several of the speakers at the passing out ceremony made reference to the 'Jacko' family taking over.

Labour Minister David Burch said: "It seems as if the Jackson clan decided that there is going to be a Jackson in this police service for several more decades and that's not a bad thing at all."

Another police officer following in her father's footsteps is PC Tiffani DeSilva. The former Mount St. Agnes student is only 19-years-old but she has always wanted to be a police officer like her dad PC Jason Ming.

PC DeSilva, who eventually hopes to go into the roads policing unit, said she was looking forward to "getting out on the road."

She said: "Most people were supportive but not everyone agreed with my decision to become a police officer.

"I lost friends as some people don't speak to me anymore. Friends come and go but this is my job, it's what I'm getting paid to do.

"This is my type of job, I can't sit in an office all day."

It was a proud day for scores of family and friends who watched their loved ones in the passing out ceremony. Many of them were clutching congratulations balloons.

But it was PC Leanda Johnston who had the biggest and noisiest fanbase. Each time PC Johnston's name was called out, her friends cheered and held up letters spelling out her name.

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