One week after staff and pupils returned to the Rose Hill RC Primary School in Laventille, therapy and counselling continued on Thursday as the TTPS Mounted and Canine Branch visited the school to give the pupils a chance to interact with them and the animals they work with.
Principal Dr Charlene Quamina confirmed that while classes had resumed as best as possible, it would take some time before things return to normal.
Speaking with Guardian Media as the pupils enjoyed the attention of officers from the Mounted and Canine Branch and the Inter-Agency Task Force during an afternoon of fun, Quamina saluted the lawmen and women for taking time to reassure her young charges and rejuvenate their spirits.
Noting the officers employed animal therapy as one of the ways to help heal the still-traumatised staff and pupils, Quamina said yesterday’s turnout of 77 pupils was the largest since the October 31 incident in which gunfire from warring gangs in the surrounding hillsides sent staff and pupils diving for cover under desks and chairs.
Despite the inclement weather yesterday, the officers took time to show the children just how police dogs were trained to detect narcotics and also attack on command.
Meanwhile, the four horses stole the show, as cheers and shouts echoed throughout the school when principal Quamina, who was the first to get in the saddle, was taken for a trot under the covered auditorium.
Soon after, there was no stopping the eager boys and girls who lined up to get their turn, with some even riding two to the saddle.
For now, Quamina said, “We are trying to make the best out of it and we are trying to keep the kids motivated and positive. That is my aim, to be focused and concentrated and solution oriented in terms of the students.”
ASP Michael Sooker, who heads the Mounted and Canine Branch, said the collaborative initiative was aimed at “bringing joy, happiness and comfort to the children.”
Having only assumed the post one week ago, he said they intend to volunteer their services to other primary and secondary schools across the country in a bid to show the softer and fun side of policing.
He said, “It is about partnerships with the community and schools, and this is the way we have to go forward.”
With Universal Children’s Day being celebrated on November 20, Sooker added, “It is a good way to build that trust and get confidence back into the police service.”
Saying the Mounted and Canine Branch officers had been asked to identify one school in their respective district where such events can be offered, he assured, “It will go a long way to foster and build community relations.”
The Mounted and Canine Branch will be heading to Tobago next week in order to connect with students there.
Also present yesterday was Quality Assurance Manager for the Catholic Education Board of Management Sterling Jacob, who commended the officers for joining with school officials to “build the resilience of the students.”
Jacob said what was urgently needed was the assignment of a safety and security officer to the school.
He said, “Because of the trauma the teachers have gone through, because of the tiredness, etc, the amount of work they are doing here now, they have no time for themselves.”
Jacob said the teachers continued to be stressed and “were looking for some kind of relief.”
He said the entire school population remained traumatised and while the healing had started, a lot more needs to be done.
