Tue, Nov 20, 2012

The Calliaqua Police Youth Club was launched on Saturday as the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force continues to work to strengthen the relationship between young people and the police.{{more}}

The launch at the Calliaqua Hard Court saw 45 members reciting the honour code and promise.

Bertram Cumberbatch, retired Superintendent of Police, established the club in October 2002.

Commissioner of Police Keith Miller, delivering the feature address, encouraged the young people to remain focused and to continue to put things for their further development into proper perspective.

“Let us not complain for things that we do not have, but give God thanks for the things we have,” said Miller.

The police chief asked the club members to set their goals and work towards accomplishing them.

To date, 19 police youth clubs have been established in Barrouallie, Biabou, Calliaqua, Chateaubelair, Layou, Mesopotamia, Old Montrose, Ottley Hall, Owia, Paget Farm, Petit Bordel, Port Elizabeth, Questelles, Redemption Sharpes, Rose Hall, Sandy Bay, Stubbs, South Rivers and Union Island.

The clubs have a total membership of 757 members.

Sergeant Cecile McMaster, national coordinator of police youth clubs, said the programme is to assist in the wholesome development of the nation’s youth.

She said this is done in collaboration with the National Commission on Crime Prevention (NCCP), social organizations and Government institutions.

“We, as coordinators and the Police Force on a whole, are expecting the parents and children to work along with us to make a positive difference in the lives of youths, mainly through the provision of sporting, training, cultural and educational activities, which will assist them in achieving their highest potential,” said McMaster.

McMaster, who was appointed national coordinator of the Police Youth Clubs on November 17, 2011, said the objectives of the Police Youth Clubs are to establish programmes which will improve the relationship between young people, the police and the wider community; provide the means for training the youths in sports, drama, firefighting, drills, first aid, personal development, and swimming and life saving techniques; and develop the mental, educational, physical, emotional and spiritual capacities of members so that they may grow to full maturity as productive citizens.

She said police youth clubs also strive to network with other organizations and plan and implement fund-raising as well as other programmes to equip young people with the skills to be more responsible.

Police youth clubs were introduced as an initiative of the RSVGPF in September 2000, through the efforts of Arden Tannis, retired inspector of police.

The first police youth club was started in Barrouallie with five boys. Over the ensuing months the numbers increased, as parents in the community saw the benefits of the programme.

The Barrouallie Police Youth Club was officially launched on July 15, 2001, with 135 members.

McMaster commended Cumberbatch and Tannis for single-handedly undertaking the responsibilities of running the clubs. She also thanked God, Commissioner Miller, district coordinators, transport drivers, other members of the RSVGPF, parents and friends for their support.

Minister of Social Development Frederick Stephenson and Minister of Health Clayton Burgin, who is parliamentary representative for the area, also made remarks.

(Police Public Relations & Complaints Department)