Basseterre, St. Kitts (SKNIS): Seven members of the security forces in St. Kitts and Nevis – three from the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force and four from the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force (SKNDF) – completed the six-week Junior Leaders Level 3 CVQ Course designed by the Regional Security System (RSS) Training Institute.
Topics covered during the course included effective leadership, group dynamics, delegation of authority, human rights, preparation and planning of large-scale events, emergency care and management, incident command, crime scene management, key point defence and more. The training was also attended by 13 regional counterparts from Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Saint Lucia, Grenada, and Guyana.
Regional and local assessors, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council, ensured that all necessary standards were met, as the course certification is equivalent to an associate degree.
Major Kayode Sutton, Acting Commander of the SKNDF, congratulated the successful graduates during a ceremony held at the Coast Guard Base on September 13, 2024. He emphasised that the course has significantly strengthened law enforcement and military capabilities in critical national security management and disaster response coordination and management.
“I urge you to carry forward the knowledge, skills, and values you have acquired during this training,” Major Sutton expressed. “Embrace the responsibilities that come with leadership – be it in your police or military careers or your communities. Remember that effective leadership is not just about commanding others, but about serving, inspiring, guiding and developing subordinates and those around you towards a common mission.”
Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, commended the initiative, which is the first of its kind.
“I am pleased to know that the RSS (Regional Security System) is stepping up its game in terms of training … because without training, I don’t think that you can maintain the standards that you have established, and you cannot progress to higher standards,” he stated.
Dr. Drew, who also serves as the Chair of the Council for National Security and Law Enforcement (CONSLE), added that incorporating a CARICOM Vocational Qualification (CVQ) component will greatly enhance trainees’ ability to operate effectively in both regional and international contexts, which allows for more networking opportunities with global partners.