2 days ago
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Ninety-five Special Reserve Police (SRP) officers are receiving specialised training for deployment to high-risk schools across Trinidad and Tobago when the new academic year begins in September.
A release from the Ministry of Homeland Security said the officers are part of Batch 1/2025 of the SRP, which graduated and was sworn in this week.
The ceremony, attended by Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander, saw 247 officers take their oath of service after more than 450 hours of academic and practical training.
The ministry said the school-focused officers will work to curb school violence, support peer counselling, and ensure a safer learning environment.
Police deployment in schools has been the subject of meetings between the Ministry of Education and senior police officers.
On Thursday, officials and stakeholders met to discuss the matter at the Ministry of Education, St Vincent Street, Port-of-Spain.
Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers’ Association (TTUTA) president Martin Lum Kin told Guardian Media after the talks that the Education Ministry has identified 80 schools that may require police presence, including 20 primary and 60 secondary schools.
Officials are still debating whether these officers should be armed.
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