Caption: Junior Benjamin
By Alicia Chamely
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Junior Benjamin is warning students that the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) is not here for their games.
Benjamin was responding to reports of students locking an officer in a room and throwing away the key at the Preysal Secondary School on Friday.
The Preysal Secondary School was one of the 50 “high-risk” secondary schools designated by the Ministry of Education to participate in the school policing initiative, which involved the full-time deployment of two police officers on the school premises.
Speaking to AZP News on Tuesday, Benjamin said, “I take it very seriously, and we are not here for games. The TTPS is on an assignment, and we will carry out our duties.”
Benjamin said he had not heard of the incident but would investigate it with urgency.
He warned that all incidents, even this one, would be immediately dealt with as part of the TTPS’s zero-tolerance policy on indiscipline in school.
Benjamin said he was on his way to a meeting to discuss the progress of the school policing initiative and would provide an update as to how the initiative was being received.
AZP News also contacted head of Community Policing Superintendent David Guelmo, who confirmed the incident.
Guelmo said from what he had learned that the incident was not done out of malice but was a “prank” that got out of hand.
Asked what consequences the students faced, Guelmo said he could not give specifics but was informed the school administration had dealt with the students.
He said officers had recently visited the school and spoken to the students.
Preysal Secondary School Parent Teachers Association president Kris Balkaransingh said, “The actions that took place on Friday are strongly condemned by the PTA executive of the Preysal Secondary School. We do not support or condone those types of actions.”
“Children need to show respect for authority and elders, and the PTA will also support whatever necessary but reasonable discipline is taken against the perpetrators of the said act,” he added.
One student who was involved in the incident has been suspended.
