Constable Training Begins With Initiative Between Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and Windsor University School of Medicine

Security officers from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and Windsor University School of Medicine begin their first day of St. Kitts and Nevis Constable Training at the SKN Police Training Complex.

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, August 8, 2011— The Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force in partnership with Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) and Windsor University School of Medicine hosted an Opening Ceremony as fourteen men and women, currently security personnel at the Universities (eight RUSVM, 6 Windsor), began the St. Kitts and Nevis Constable Training Program today. This ceremony marked the first Constable Training program in the history of St. Kitts and Nevis. St. Kitts and Nevis government and police officials, RUSVM administration and representatives from Windsor Universityattended the Opening Ceremony explaining the importance of the initiative and how the collaboration began.

Chairing the ceremony, Mr. Stafford Liburd, St. Kitts and Nevis Deputy Commissioner of Police, shared that the event would be a part of history in the Federation. The partnership between the Universities, Windsor and RUSVM, the Ministry of National Security and the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force began months ago as the entities discussed ways to increase awareness and provide additional methods to enhance safety and security in the island.

“We are focused on providing faculty, staff and students with a safe and secure learning and work environment,” said Mr. John Kroen, Chief Security Officer, DeVry Inc. DeVry Inc. is the parent company of Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine.

Kroen indicated that RUSVM had already started implementing securitysteps for its campus community members, such as implementing minimum security requirements for rental properties in which its faculty, staff and studentsreside. In addition, RUSVM and Windsor have both increased their security patrols in these same areas. The next step was the Constable training program. RUSVM looks forward to the full-implementation of the crime initiatives by the government.

Hon. Sam Condor, Minister of National Security, provided the keynoteaddress thanking the private sector entities for the partnership in support of the anti-crime strategies, noting the continuous review and strengthening of the initiatives. The St. Kitts and Nevis Constable Training is just one element of this plan.

The Island Constable Act of 2009 provides for the establishment of asupplementary body to the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police force, which will provide assistance to the armed forces whenever and wherever necessary. Mr. Lynell Nolan, RUSVM Director of Safety and Security, Mr. Keithly Hicks, Windsor University, Director of Safety and Security, and members of the Police HighCommand reviewed the training program, which would provide the education necessary for the future Constables.

The Opening Ceremony took place at the Police Training Complex as the trainees began the first day of a three-week program designed to provide the skills needed for the officers to strengthen their role of effective patrolofficers and become St. Kitts and Nevis Constables.

Kroen thanked the men and women entering the training, “You are showing great pride in your position and I applaud you for taking steps to make a difference. You have our support and appreciation.”

As he addressed the trainees Minister Condor said, “Throughout the next three weeks your role will be more defined. You will see life differently as you discover more about yourself and about human nature…this is an opportunity for us to improve upon the state of our country and people, in which I love dearly. Thank you for your support.”