By Alicia Chamely
COMMISSIONER of Police Allister Guevarro is confirming the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) has begun investigations into the threats against teachers and students at Rio Claro East Secondary School.
Guevarro is further calling on the perpetrator(s) of these threats to cease and desist, noting such actions come with severe consequences.
The commissioner was speaking with AZP News on Monday, as online threats against students and teachers at Rio Claro East Secondary School began circulating on TikTok from a profile under the name “Kevin Randial.”
Rio Claro East Secondary School had confirmed there were students with that name registered at the school.
Starting in November, the profile began posting threatening messages aimed at teachers and students at the school, making accusations of bullying and racism.
Messages had since escalated with the profile posting photographs of staff members and a photograph of a high calibre firearm with the caption, “you all families will be crying very soon.”
As a result of these posts, parents had been actively keeping their children out of school.
Addressing the seriousness of the matter, Guevarro said, the TTPS was actively addressing the situation at the Rio Claro East Secondary School.
Guevarro said, “An investigation is on the way, and all relevant investigative and operational units have been engaged to ensure that the matter is treated with the full seriousness required.”
While operational details could not be disclosed, Guevarro assured the population, especially concerned parents that, “the TTPs will not tolerate any conduct that endangers, disrupts or even attempts to intimidate our education system.”
Guevarro issued a warning to the unidentified perpetrator or perpetrators of the threats saying, “To the individual or individuals responsible you are hereby warned to immediately desist from wilfully causing panic and fear within our nation’s schools, such actions are criminal.”
“They carry severe consequences, and the TTPS will pursue every lawful avenue to identify and hold you accountable,” he added.
Guevarro said the TTPS was asking the public to avoid circulating unverified information, noting this could cause unnecessary alarm and hinder ongoing investigations.
He did, however, call on anyone with credible information relating to the matter and the identity of the profile user to please contact the TTPS.
Minister of Education Michael Dowlath, speaking to AZP News on Monday, confirmed investigations were taking place and noted the Ministry had protocols in place for these types of situations.
He said he could provide information relating to the investigation as the Ministry adhered to a code of confidentiality in respect to its teachers and students.
Pointing out that the situation seems to have stemmed from bullying and perceived mistreatment of profile user, Dowlath was asked if the Ministry had begun looking at ways or developing plans, inclusive of increased in school psychological support for students, to prevent situations such as this in the future.
Dowlath said currently the Ministry was waiting for the conclusion of all investigations to analyse and uncover what circumstances led to the current situation.
From there, he said, findings would be included into the already established protocols in place by the Ministry.
On Sunday evening the Ministry of Education put out a release on its social media pages, stating the Ministry was aware of reports concerning security threats at the Rio Claro East Secondary School.
The Ministry stated all safety and security protocols had been activated and the situation was being handled in collaboration with the relevant national security authority.
“The safety and wellbeing of students and staff remain the Ministry’s highest priority,” the release read, “The public is assured that appropriate measures are in place and the situation continues to be closely monitored.”
