POND ISLAND – The Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM) TAPS (Teens and Police Service Academy) program has been deemed a success by KPSM, and Minister of Justice Cornelius de Weever would like to commend KPSM leadership, the coordinator, participating officers and students for a job well done.
Minister De Weever stated that this type of program brings more awareness about pertinent issues that school-going youth are confronted with from time to time during their years in high school.
TAPS is an 11-week US program primarily designed for at-risk youth where students partner with mentor police officers to discuss such issues as violence, physical and sexual abuse, stalking, sexual exploitation, and bullying.
The program was adjusted to meet the juvenile needs of the Sint Maarten youth according to a statement by the Sint Maarten Police Force back in October when the training started at the St. Maarten Academy P.S.V.E. section.
Minister of Justice Cornelius de Weever said the program initiated by the Sint Maarten Police Force is a great initiative that comes at a time when students and the educational system are confronted with a number of social youth related challenges.
“There is no need to reinvent the wheel. There are a number of international programs designed to confront anti-youth social behavior and TAPS is one such program being utilized as an intervention by the Police Force.
“TAPS cover a number of areas pertinent to youth development such as conflict resolution, truancy, drugs and alcohol, safe driving and being stopped by the police, health, fitness and nutrition, service learning, human trafficking, victimization/bullying, and team building.
“Another program that the Police Force will be starting in February is Cops and Kids. These programs are very important for the youth of the nation.
“Everyone has a role to play when it comes to our nation’s youth. As they say, it takes a village to raise a child, and the Police Force as an integral part of society, will do its part by creating awareness in order for our young people to make the right choices,” Minister of Justice Cornelius de Weever said on Friday.
