Serving and protecting our Islands: Jonathan Myrie

Protecting the Cayman Islands begins at its borders. For Jonathan Myrie, a Senior Customs and Border Control Officer, that responsibility has shaped more than a decade of service within the Cayman Islands Civil Service.

As a Caymanian public servant, Jonathan plays an important role in national security, contributing to border operations and daily interactions with travellers, while delivering professional public service.

Choosing a Career in Law Enforcement

Jonathan’s interest in law enforcement began long before he joined the Civil Service: “I have always had an eye for being in law enforcement and a feel for how important it is to protect the borders at all points of entry,” he said.

That sense of calling motivated him to pursue a career within the Service, where he could contribute directly to work he believed in.

“I have pride in what I do, so it does not feel like I am coming to work every day. It is a place where I enjoy being.”

Supporting Border Security in the Cayman Islands

On the front line of border security, Jonathan and his colleagues monitor ports of entry, process travellers and cargo, and work to keep illicit drugs and prohibited items off Cayman’s shores and streets. This work supports the wider national security framework, with law enforcement agencies and departments across government collaborating to keep communities safe.

Jonathan has spent much of his career stationed in Cayman Brac, while also gaining valuable experience during a two-and-a-half-year secondment in Grand Cayman. Working across different locations gave him a fuller picture of how operations function across the Islands, including key entry points in and around George Town.

Always Learning
Continuous learning has been an important part of Jonathan’s career and has helped him advance to his current role of Senior Customs and Border Control Officer, a post he has been in for the past two-plus years.

During his 12-and-a-half years in the Civil Service he has participated in numerous training courses designed to strengthen the skills required for his work, with one of the most valuable being a specialised container search course held in the Turks and Caicos Islands earlier this year. The two-week programme provided practical training in inspection techniques and offered insight into the broader international efforts that support border protection.

For Jonathan, opportunities like these highlight why professional development matters so much.

“Being in this field opens your eyes to the broader spectrum of behind the scenes work which continues to make and keep our islands safe,” Jonathan said.

Support When it Mattered Most

Working within the Cayman Islands Government has also provided meaningful support for Jonathan and his family during difficult times.

When his son was born prematurely and needed to be flown to Grand Cayman for care, the health insurance available through his role, meant his family could focus on what mattered most.

He has also drawn on extended sick leave when illness kept him from work, giving him the space to recover properly before returning to his role.

For Jonathan, these experiences speak to how the Civil Service values its employees and recognises the importance of supporting families.

Welcoming Travellers with Professionalism

Although border security is central to his work, Jonathan believes customer service is equally important.

Officers are often among the first people that travellers encounter when arriving in the Cayman Islands and Jonathan knows that first impressions matter: “Being able to deliver world-class customer service to persons and getting their positive feedback on my treatment of them is one of the most rewarding aspects for me.”

A Fulfilling, Long-Term Career

For Jonathan Myrie, public service is more than a profession. It’s an opportunity to serve and protect the future of his country, and after more than a decade in the Civil Service, he encourages others to think of it as a long-term career rather than simply a job. Jonathan urges those interested in joining the organisation to approach the opportunity with dedication and a willingness to learn.

His advice: "Do not to just seek a job; enter into a place where you can build a lifelong career. It is a privilege for me to do what I do and I do not regret anything about it."

Through stories like Jonathan's, the I Am a Civil Servant series recognises the people who serve on the front line every day, protecting the Islands, supporting families and welcoming the world to Cayman's shores.

Read more stories from the people who serve the Cayman Islands at gov.ky/iam