Decade-Long Police-School Partnership Continues to Empower Students

For well over a decade, the partnership between stakeholders from the Constant Spring Police Station and the Constant Spring Primary School in St. Andrew has remained strong, serving as a vital avenue through which students continue to benefit from targeted extra lessons in three core subject areas.

Coordinator of the evening programme, O’Neal Morrison, explains that the collaboration provides a critical platform for supporting students’ academic development.

Mr. Morrison, who also teaches Mathematics at Constant Spring Primary School, further explains that the initiative, born out of the need to promote conflict resolution and create safe spaces within the community of Cassava Piece in St. Andrew, has evolved into a programme that now provides extra lessons for students in Mathematics, Language Arts, and Social Studies.

“It started way back in 2005, where we recognised that why we had so much violence and crime is because of… simple things that are misunderstood by individuals. So, looking at the survey, we realised that we could create a space… that’s the first initiative… a safe space where people could discuss and talk about issues that they are facing,” he tells JIS News.

Mr. Morrison emphasises that meaningful change ultimately begins with the way people think and make decisions, noting that the initiative seeks to equip individuals with the knowledge and tools needed to positively influence their families and communities.

“So eventually, we were seeing that what was needed was to improve the way that people think, and that’s how the classes came about. So, we were saying that we could educate the parents then, because most people don’t have money to do extra classes, so we could educate them and offer it for free. So that’s how we came to be doing Maths, Language, and Social Studies,” he shares.

Mr. Morrison advises that the programme is currently in need of volunteers to assist with teaching Social Studies and is encouraging individuals who wish to give back to their communities to offer their services in support of the initiative.

He notes that while the programme was initially designed to serve residents of the Cassava Piece community, it has since expanded its reach, with individuals from neighbouring communities and even as far away as St. Catherine benefiting from the initiative.

“We have people from Spanish Town, Portmore, Grants Pen, 100 Lane, Park Lane, all those surrounding communities… Stony Hill, and as far as Castleton. If you come here and say you have a student and you want to do something with them, we’ll accommodate you,” the educator shares.

Mr. Morrison says many students have benefited from the programme, which continues to grow, and commends the unwavering commitment and support of the volunteers who have dedicated their time and effort to helping participants succeed in their studies.

He also commends the security forces for their long-standing commitment and partnership, underscoring their critical role in the programme’s sustained success and continued growth over the years.

“The police provide us with resources [and help to ensure our] safety. They always check in to find out if everything is okay, and if there’s anything that they can help with. A couple of months back, they [forged a] partnership with the NCB Foundation to upgrade two of the bathrooms [at the school] and gave us two computers [which] students can [use to] do their homework,” Mr. Morrison shares.

He further notes that, through the generous support of other stakeholders, internet access is also provided to help facilitate the work being carried out at the institution.

Meanwhile, Mr. Morrison lauds Commanding Officer for the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) St. Andrew North Division, Superintendent of Police Randy Sweeney, for his leadership and commitment, noting that officers have been instrumental in strengthening and sustaining the partnership.

“I can call Superintendent Sweeney any time. If he’s busy, he’s going to call me back, or text me back, or get back to me. So, I think they have been good towards what we’re doing… [and] I’d just like to say thanks to the Constabulary Force… and all the other persons… for the role that they are playing,” he says.

Other stakeholder partners include State Minister in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce and Member of Parliament for St. Andrew North Central, Hon. Delano Seiveright; community members; and the administration of Constant Spring Primary School.

“We are allowed to use the school… we are allowed to use any facility within the school as well… [and] we are allowed that privilege free of cost. Security officers are also there, and they ensure that while we are there… everything is okay,” Mr. Morrison tells JIS News.

Further explaining the partnership, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in charge of the Community Safety and Security Section of the St. Andrew North Division, Hilary Jones, says it aims to provide support to those in need.

“We have partnered with Constant Spring Primary… [and] what the police personnel do is to assist persons, not only within the Constant Spring area but persons outside of the area that want extra lessons to be done. It is also free on the part of the teachers that are providing the lessons.

“So, what the police do sometimes, especially Superintendent Sweeney, is he [and other officers] would pay for subjects that students cannot afford… those from inner-city communities or other students that dropped out of school for whatever reason. So, we offer that level of support to the children,” she shares with JIS News.

DSP Jones notes that the partnership between the school and the Constant Spring Police Station remains strong and praises the work of Inspector Ross West who heads the station.

She explains that, from the police’s perspective, individuals are sometimes referred to the programme through interactions with community members during the Division’s regular community walkthroughs.

“When you walk in the community… persons will come to you and say… ‘my child is not behaving, my child is out of school’… because of for whatever reason. They will also say… ‘I don’t have any money to give them’… and that is how you can refer those kids. So, once you are in the community and you have that information… we advise and encourage parents to send their kids to get registered in the programme… [because] it is free… and they can benefit from the course,” she tells JIS News.

Meanwhile, DSP Jones is encouraging more stakeholders to become involved in the partnership, noting that through greater collaboration, the programme can be expanded to benefit and support more individuals in need.

She says the initiative continues to foster positive relationships and build trust among students, community members and law enforcement.

“We have stronger communication between the citizens, the students, and the police. Sometimes when you go into the communities, children are running away from the police… that [doesn’t happen] anymore. They come and speak to the police… they even ask how to join the police force,” the senior officer indicates.

She adds that, “parents are open now for further communication in terms of how we can assist with kids… different from even the class. So, the relationship between the police and the community is strong at this point”.