The School-Oriented Policing Initiative will be closely monitored over the coming months, with structured evaluations and stakeholder feedback guiding its evolution.
The assurance came from Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro, after he visited schools in South Trinidad on Monday, as the 14-week school term gets underway.
Commissioner Guevarro’s school visits kicked off at La Romaine Secondary School, where two officers will be stationed for the duration of the school term.
Minister of Education Dr. Michael Dowlath announced at last week’s Post-Cabinet Media Briefing that 50 secondary schools will have specially trained officers assigned nationwide, while support and frequent patrols will be provided at 10 other secondary schools and 10 primary schools.
Commissioner Guevarro said that, so far, the feedback has been positive towards the initiative.
“All right, so, today is the initial day of the project, and I will say that the feedback I’ve gotten from all of the schools thus far has been very positive. We’ve been welcomed by all of the teachers, even the students. So, members of staff, everyone seems to be on board with the TTPS.”
The Police Commissioner assured that the officers’ interaction with the student population will be “minimal” unless an incident arises.
“If incidents should arise, the police will first serve as a response to treat with that immediate threat. And when that is over, we’ll know what investigative methodology that needs to be applied. And, if anything, and persons are to be charged, there are particular processes to be adopted because we are dealing with children.”
Commissioner Guevarro also addressed questions about the tools officers will have at their disposal.
“I will not get into what each officer has in terms of being armed or unarmed with whatever because it is all based on assessments that were done that will dictate what the officers will be required to utilise. I don’t want to go advertise to the entire Trinidad and Tobago that I have whatever on this officer and that on that officer, right? So, we’ll leave that alone.”
The Police Commissioner said the TTPS is adopting a zero-tolerance approach to school violence, ensuring that acts of aggression, intimidation, or disruption within school communities are addressed swiftly and decisively.
Officers assigned to the programme will work closely with school leadership to meet the unique needs of each school, while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and responsiveness.
The School-Oriented Policing Initiative falls in line with the government’s directive to mitigate bullying and violence in schools, to create safe and secure learning environments for all students.