BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - TWO of the Federation’s US-affiliated tertiary learning institutions have up the ante in their security mandate by collaborating with the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force in the training of 14 of their employees to become full-fledged Island Constables.
The opening ceremony for the Island Constable Training took place this morning (Aug. 8) at the Police Training Complex, where eight security officers of the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and six of the Windsor University School of Medicine began the four-week training course.
The trainees are Chester Marshall, Eartha Williams, Kevin Williams, Lionel Paul, Randolph Belle, Angela Jarvis, Vernon Taylor and Cecil Richardson of Ross University and Oliver Reymond Archibald, Germaine Anita Douglas, Ndykaku Augustine Nwosu, Rodney Renwick Thomas, Osbourne Rutherford Bute and Leroy Pitt of Windsor University.
On successful completion of the training course, the security officers will be conferred full Island Constable powers which, according to the Island Constables Act 2009, give an island constable all the powers, privileges and immunities of a police constable.
The ceremony, attended by the top echelons of the RSCNPF and both schools, featured remarks by, among others, Commissioner of Police (COP) Austin Williams, DeVry Chief Security Officer John Kroen and Minister of National Security Sam T. Condor.
Kroen, in providing an overview of the initiative, explained that Ross University has increased its security base as a result of the increased criminal activities taking place in the Federation.
At the heart of that, he explained, is the employment of senior security officers who would undergo training to become Island Constables.
Commissioner Williams welcomed the initiative and noted that it is reflective of Ross’ and Windsor’s commitment to law-enforcement within the Federation.
Organiser of the initiative and Director of Safety and Security at Ross, Lynell Nolan, told SKNVibes that while the main aim of the project is to enhance the safety and security of the university’s staff, students and faculty, maintenance of law and order in the Federation is also a key element.
“Presently, our private security officers are basically out there on a preventative mode but they cannot do any stops, searches or detaining individuals. So now they will be having those powers. So, while they are out on patrol and they see infractions, they can actually play a great role in maintaining law and order in the country.
“Their main goal is to be out there assisting Ross and Windsor community members, but in the event that some things come across them where they need to act in that role as a police officer, they have the ability to do so.”
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Stafford Liburd, the course would be split into two sections; three weeks would be spent at the Police Training Complex and one week at the respective places of employ.
