Special constables for beach patrol officially presented with ID cards and equipment

0
508
cluster4
The special constables were officially presented with their ID cards and equipment yesterday
- Advertisement -

By Charminae George

[email protected]

Donning badges presented by the Acting Police Commissioner, Everton Jeffers, the first contingent of special constables for the Beach Safety and Security Unit (BSSU) were geared up for serious business.

In a short ceremony held at the Ministry of Tourism on Queen Elizabeth Highway, Akeem Bailey, Denton Williams, Egan Samuel, McLean Lawrence, Peter Slowe, and Travis Gomes were officially presented with their ID cards and equipment yesterday.

This gives them the ability to work along with the police force, and if necessary, arrest persons to ensure that the beaches remain a safe place for residents and tourists alike.

“To be sworn as a special constable means that you have certain powers, powers of arrest…they are going to be working with the police on the beach.

“Most of the time they will be under the police control but outside of that, if an offence is committed, the special constables can make an arrest,” Jeffers explained.

On three beaches often frequented by beachgoers — Fort James, Ffryes, and Valley Church — beach towers and relevant equipment have been installed for surveillance purposes. This is according to St Clair Soleyn, director of policy and planning at the Ministry of Tourism, and Claudia Fiedtkou, Assistant Manager of the BSSU.

Leading up to this occasion, the officers were engaged in a six-week training course at the Sir Wright F George Police Academy, after which they were sworn in as officers of the unit. Among their areas of study were statement writing, securing crime scenes, self-defence, and customer service.

In addition to the safety of individuals, they are also tasked with reducing their environmental impact on the beaches. This includes ensuring beachgoers don’t leave behind litter and prohibiting persons from driving vehicles too close to the water, which eventually leads to beach erosion, McLean Lawrence said.

Minister of Tourism Charles ‘Max’ Fernandez commended the officers on their achievement, then revealed future plans for the placement of garbage bins on frequented beaches across the island.

“We are in the process of getting a quote, thereby we have some bins at some of the beaches,” Fernandez stated.

According to Lawrence, the BSSU was established in 2003. Within this unit, there are three departments: lifeguards, beach liaison officers, and beach control officers. Initially, the unit began with 10 individuals, and has since grown to approximately 60 individuals.

- Advertisement -

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

eighteen + 4 =