The head of state reminded the cadets that Estonia is constitutionally obliged to protect the peace both within and outside of its borders. “Peace within our country is something which you and your colleagues will be materially, if not exclusively, responsible for upholding,” he said. “To date, our police officers and border guards have done an admirable job of this, and in so doing have earned the public’s trust.”
The new recruits have begun their training at a time when Russia’s aggression in Ukraine is putting the strength of Estonia’s national security and its borders to the test. “One aspect of this is the issues surrounding immigration and the choices we may have to make in regard to who we allow into the country and who we turn back,” President Karis explained. “I am sure you will be trained on how to promptly make the right decisions on matters that affect the lives of many people.”
The head of state encouraged the cadets to continue their studies and add to their professional qualifications after graduating from the college in Paikuse. “But more importantly,” he added, “you must never lose sight of your humanity. Because, to paraphrase what Professor Juhan Peegel once said about journalists, you may be a police officer, but you must be a person.”
The head of state says that police officers and border guards encounter a great deal of anger, malice, violence and selfishness and witness the hurt that is done to people, whether directly or indirectly. “These are things you must never allow yourselves to become inured to, or else you will lose all capacity for empathy,” he cautioned. “You have to feel things if you want to confront wrongs and in order to be able to recognise when people need professional help. And you must learn to look after yourselves in the midst of all this, because only then will you be capable of maintaining your relationships with your loved ones. I truly hope that the vast majority of our law enforcement officers are able to say that their families are their most steadfast supporters.”
The head of state urged the cadets not to lose the sense of humour and irony that is so characteristic of young people, but which, over time, tends to give way to caution. “Humour and irony can be healthy and life-affirming, helping us out of some very dark places,” President Karis said.
