SVG Police Force Youth Club to assist in developing youths

The Central Zone of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) Youth Club was officially launched on Saturday, May 26, at the Old Montrose Police Station.{{more}}

Seventy-seven youths from the Redemption Sharpes, Questelles and Old Montrose youth clubs were officially commissioned to become members of the reformed organization.

Sergeant Cecile Mc Master, National Youth Coordinator, speaking at the ceremony, explained that one of the main functions of the youth club was to assist in the wholesome development of the nation’s youth, mainly through sporting, training and cultural activities.

“We as coordinators and police officers are expecting children and parents to work along with us to make a positive difference in the lives of our youth,” Sgt Mc Master said.

The idea of a youth club was first introduced back in 2000 in Barrouallie with 135 members and was under the supervision of Inspector Arden Tannis, who has since retired, she explained.

Similarly, another club was formed in the Calliaqua district, under the guidance of Superintendent Bertram Cumberbatch.

These clubs were in existence until 2009, when the present Commissioner of Police Keith Miller gave directives for the formation of a committee to oversee and restructure the police youth clubs.

“And to embrace all police districts throughout St Vincent and the Grenadines,” she explained.

To date, there are 18 youth clubs, with the newest one coming on board being that of South Rivers.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner, during his presentation, said that he did not want the young people to be afraid of the police.

According to Miller, it was often said that people from long ago were afraid of the police.

“But we want you to love and respect; we want you to cooperate and we too must be respectful and cooperative,” Miller explained.

He said that the disappearance of community based groups was what prompted him to reform the police youth club idea.

“We have to put in place structures that members of the community are not putting in place,” the commissioner said.

The number of illegal guns was also reason to want to keep the young people occupied and in a position to not want to commit crime. This was another reason for wanting to improve on the idea of the police youth clubs that started years ago.

“If we get our young people to understand that there is no need for them to use illegal firearms, then the pressure will not be on CARICOM to travel to New York to negotiate for the better movement of firearms in the region,” Miller said.

He said that the police were having a problem with illegal guns and that proper structures would ensure that the young people refrained from criminal behaviour.

This, he said, is what prompted him to review the operation of the youth clubs saying that what he saw was an organization that was being run in an ad hoc manner and without proper coherence.

He said that he was now happy to see that just after a little over 2 years the organization had expanded to over 500 young people, spread throughout the state.

The South Central zone was launched on June 9 at Biabou. (DD)