Basseterre, St. Kitts, January 23, 2015 (SKNIS) -- The Anti Crime Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister has reaffirmed its commitment to provide positive development opportunities for young people to achieve their potential.
That was the message from the unit’s permanent secretary, Her Excellency Astona Browne, as she addressed students and teachers of Verchild’s High School that attended the ceremony for six students that graduated from the 11-week Teen and Police Service (TAPS) Academy.
“The Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF) wants to make quite certain that you, the young people of St. Kitts and Nevis, are branches reaching to the warmth and beauty of the sun, not getting ready to wilt and shrivel up on the vine,” stressed Mrs. Browne.
“Your participation in the TAPS programme, your having paid attention to all that your instructors have taught you over the period of your training, and you embracing the positives that are taught in this programme will go a long way to ensure that you lead lives of peace and stability, security and happiness, when with time, you become the men and women of our society.”
Mrs. Browne added that the Government is determined to ensure that the young people become quality, productive citizens. “Law abiding, responsible and respectful and respected,” she emphasized.
The Permanent Secretary also urged parents to learn more about TAPS and to encourage their child/children to engage in similar programmes that develop positive attitudes, behaviours and skills.
TAPS pairs police mentors with at-risk youth in order to build meaningful relationships and promote better understanding.
Commissioner of Police Celvin G. Walwyn noted that as part of its community policing initiative the RSCNPF has implemented a number of programmes to positively engage students including the Mentoring, Guiding, Advising and Instructing Children (MAGIC) programme and the Law Enforcement Explorers Programme (LEEP).
*************************
DISCLAIMER
This article was posted in its entirety as received by SKNVibes.com. This media house does not correct any spelling or grammatical error within press releases and commentaries. The views expressed therein are not necessarily those of SKNVibes.com, its sponsors or advertisers
