St. Thomas Police ‘Getting it Right’ with Community Radio Programme

Dubbed ‘Let’s get it right’, the programme which is aired from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. is the brainchild of officers attached to the Community Safety and Security Branch (CSSB) of the St. Thomas police.

It is hosted by Constables Roger Douglas and Denene Benjamin.

In an interview with JIS News, the passionate officers who are both residents of the parish say that they are using the platform to perform fact checks, discuss topics citizens may not fully understand such as how to interact correctly with the police and delve into the nature of certain offences.

“We want you to get it right so we will inform you of the offences and we will implore you to get it right,” says Constable Douglas, who is also the Police Youth Club Coordinator in the parish.

Constable Benjamin adds that, “it is not just us as police interacting with the public, we also have other stakeholders who maybe you would want to talk to them, but you don’t know where to find them…we bring them and ask them questions.”

The dynamic duo are not just hosts, they are also the studio engineers, marketers and text line operators for the show, having spent a month prior to its launch being trained in all things radio.

“We were at the radio station learning the systems, learning how to communicate over the radio, and learning the craft. I believe we’re at a point now where we can flow,” Constable Douglas points out.

So far, they say the programme has been well respected among listeners with some persons even convinced that the pleasant and energetic Constables are seasoned radio disc jocks.

This feedback does not come as a surprise for Constable Douglas who notes that, “I  love talking, talking is my passion and I would say talking got me to where I am now because previously, I worked at two outstations  – Golden Grove and Trinityville – and based on my performance with the community, that’s where they take the decision (to send me) to the section that handles that type of policing.”

Constable Benjamin, too, enjoys working in the CSSB, and believes that the community based arm of the force can serve to “change the mindset that citizens and police (are) at war”.

“The only way to fight crime is by building our relationship,” he underscores.

For Constable Douglas, the success of ‘Let’s Get it Right’ will also serve to improve the relationship with taxi operators in the parish.

“It is often said that police always pick on taxi men. I beg to differ. This programme will help taximen to understand how to deal with police officers when they are stopped (and) how to explain themselves. We’re going to build a good relationship with taxi men,” he says.

On the decision to partner with Earth 96 FM for the venture, the cops say that the family station was just the right fit for their brand.

“Earth 96 is a gospel station. We believe that in anything we’re doing, put God first,” the aspiring Pastor, Constable Douglas says.

The police officers are both optimistic about the future of the show and say that their hope is that it will “take the place by storm”.

“We want that on every corner (and) in every shop, you hear ‘Let’s get it right’,” Constable Benjamin points out.