Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 25, 2016 (RSCNPF): |Ensuring safe schools was the focus of a meeting on Tuesday (February 23) in which members of the High Command of Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force met with the principals of the two (2) High Schools in the Basseterre area.
The meeting held at the Washington Archibald High School was attended by Commissioner Ian M Queeley, Basseterre High School Principal Mr. Ron Dublin Collins and the Washington Archibald High School Principal Ms Charisse Gumbs. Also in attendance were Assistant Commissioner with responsible for the Operations Directorate – ACP Terrance James, Tactical Commander – Inspector Adolph Adams, Mr. Clifford Govia the Force Personnel Officer (a Former Principal of the WAHS) and the guidance counselor staff from both High Schools.
Items discussed at the meeting included, illegal activities conducted on the school premises, physical security for the campuses (access and fencing) possibility of continuous Police patrols in the area and traffic flow in the school zone. Other areas of discussion included the enforcement of the laws in relation curfew for minors and ways to improve stakeholder engagements with schools and communications between the police and staff of the schools. Both groups expressed delight with the re-activation of the school liaison program.
Commenting on the meeting, principal of the Washington Archibald High School, Ms. Charisse Gumbs expressed, “her team greatly appreciated what was a very good dialogue with the Police and looks forward to improved communications between the school and the Police Service.” She added, “I look for a continuing partnership as we seek to ensure a safe school environment for all.”
Commissioner Ian M Queeley said, “we left the meeting feeling it was very productive and we clearly laid a foundation for the way forward, our team have looked at ways for us to support the efforts of the teachers by ensuring an environment conducive to learning. Our part is to ensure the security of the campuses and safety of the students. We have increased our Police presence in the area with the daily deployment of the Mobile Command Unit, and re-introduction of our School Liaison Officer Programme.”
The Commissioner added, “we have noted some persons not of school age loitering in the area, we will rid the area of those individuals. We will do our best to provide an environment where learning can take place, free of distractions.
Commissioner Queeley indicated that follow up meetings will be held to provide feedback as to these efforts and to solidify the partnership.