Basseterre, St. Kitts, July 13, 2012 (SKNIS): The Delta Squad, which comprises members of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force and the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force, was praised for its “skilled policing” in executing its duties.
Criminologist Dr. Edward R. Maguire, who recently visited the twin-island Federation to conduct a rapid assessment of local gangs, told SKNIS that he had the opportunity to patrol with members of the tactical unit and was impressed.
“These officers are walking around the communities and you have some elements of the community that are happy to see them and the officers will stop and talk with them and engage them,” he said. “ ... they are actively working on building the community and that really makes me happy to see that kind of policing going on.”
Dr. Maguire expounded that community involvement is key in addressing antisocial activities. He added that local officials have found a good mix, incorporating personnel from the two security agencies.
“Sometimes when you put police with soldiers and put them out in the community, you have a different dynamic with the way folks will interact with them,” the criminologist explained, highlighting a tendency for persons to be more reluctant. “I didn’t see that when I went out with the Delta Squad. I saw them interacting positively with the community and I thought the soldiers and police did a great job interacting with those young men.
“Dealing with gangs and gang violence is difficult work. It can’t all be smiles and waves. ... They’re doing stops, they’re doing searches. Maybe these stops and searches inconvenience the young men [while other] young men are very happy about it, but what I have to say is that I saw the officers engaging the young men and being very positive,” he stressed.
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