Caption: Minister of Sport Phillips Watts, left, Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander, centre, and Minister of Education Dr Michael Dowlath at the post-Cabinet press conference. AZP News/Prior Beharry
By Alicia Chamely
COME Monday, More than 100 police officers will be deployed to 70 high-risk primary and secondary schools.
This was announced by Minister of Education Michael Dowlath on Thursday at the post cabinet media conference held at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s.
Dowlath said, “The Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Ministry of National Security and the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) is introducing police officers into schools across Trinidad and Tobago.”
He said this move was part of a wider strategy to create “safe and secure learning environments.”
Dowlath said two police officers would be stationed in 50 secondary schools, 10 other secondary schools and 10 primary schools would have dedicated police patrols to ensure consistent coverage and rapid response.
He said, “The reason behind this is that there has been rising incidents of indiscipline and violence in our schools. Recent years have seen increased reports of school violence, gang influence and threats from external elements.”
Dowlath said, “Schools must be protected against the full range of risk in our society.”
He said officers would be deployed in full operational kits.
Dowlath said this model matches similar approaches in Canada, the United States, Jamaica and Barbados.
He said, “This ensures that schools that were considered high risk will move towards becoming safe zones.”
Dowlath said, “I want to say that as we go forward in schools, we are taking zero tolerance on indiscipline, especially with violence, and all incidents will be treated with severity if weapons are involved.”
Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander also commented on the deployment of police officers to school.
Asked whether these officers would be armed, Alexander said officers would be armed with “non-lethal equipment that they can respond with in an effective manner.”
Alexander assured officers had been trained to handle problems specific to schools and students. He said the goal was not for the officers to protect the students, but to also act as guides and mentors.
Questioned about body cameras on the officers, Alexander cryptically answered, “I am not saying, we are not giving them body cameras.”
He said all efforts had been made to ensure the officer’s presence would not serve as a distraction for the students.
Alexander said, “We want the best interest of the children at heart.”
