Violence Prompts Return of Police on Campuses

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – One day after police officers were reintroduced into nearly a dozen public schools across New Providence, the Ministers of National Security and Education are insisting the move is vital to clamp down on violence at some public schools.

Jasmin Brown has the story in this report.

The decision to place officers back in schools comes nearly a week after male student was stabbed at A.F. Adderley junior high school.

The education minister and national security ministers both made the case for reinstating officers on campuses.

Government High is not the only public school with an officer now attached. Other senior high schools include R.M. Bailey, C.C. Sweeting, C.V. Bethel and Doris Johnson senior high schools.

Police officers have also been reintroduced to a handful of junior high schools including: C.H. Reeves, T.A. Thompson and A.F. Adderley.

Hanna-Martin says despite criticism in the past surrounding a school policing program that was introduced under the former Christie administration, she says there is now widespread support for the more recent move.

Last week Bahamas Union of Teachers President Belinda Wilson told The Nassau Guardian she would support officers in schools as she said it would provide for another layer of protection for students and teachers.

Hanna-Martin says while placing officers in some schools is an immediate fix she says officials hope it will not have to be a permanent one.