Regional Security System Conducts Successful Community Policing Training with International Collaboration

The Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force celebrated the successful completion of a Community Policing Course by Sergeant Charmaine Audain and Woman Constable Kiesha Davis-Williams, held under the auspices of the Regional Security System (RSS). This intensive training program, conducted in two phases – a virtual component from May 5th to 7th and an in-person session from May 12th to 16th, 2025, in Barbados – brought together law enforcement officers from various Caribbean nations, including St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Antigua, Grenada, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent, Guyana, and Barbados. This regional collaboration fostered a shared understanding of modern community policing principles and practices, promoting a unified approach to enhancing security and community relations across the region.

The course, expertly facilitated by Inspector Greaves, employed an engaging, experience-based teaching methodology. Inspector Greaves intertwined practical policing strategies with real-world anecdotes, emphasizing the importance of tailoring approaches to the specific cultural and social contexts of each participating nation. This personalized approach allowed officers to translate theoretical concepts into actionable strategies relevant to their respective communities, promoting a more nuanced and effective implementation of community policing principles.

The curriculum covered a comprehensive range of topics crucial for effective community policing. Beginning with an exploration of the historical evolution of policing, participants delved into the five core components of community policing, tracing its development into modern practice. The course emphasized the foundational values of professionalism, ethical conduct, and strong moral character, underscoring the critical role these principles play in building trust and fostering positive police-community relationships. Furthermore, the training addressed sensitive issues like domestic violence and its unique challenges within a community policing framework, providing officers with tools and strategies to respond effectively to these complex situations.

The program also explored key theoretical frameworks relevant to community policing, including the “Broken Windows” theory and the SARA (Scanning, Analysis, Response, Assessment) problem-solving model. Understanding these concepts equipped the officers with valuable analytical tools to diagnose community issues, develop appropriate responses, and evaluate the effectiveness of their interventions. The course further highlighted the critical distinction between traditional, reactive policing and the more proactive, community-based approach, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and building strong partnerships with local stakeholders.

The culmination of the training involved a series of practical group exercises that challenged participants to apply the SARA model to real-world policing scenarios. This hands-on approach reinforced the theoretical concepts learned throughout the course, allowing officers to develop their problem-solving skills and experience the collaborative nature of effective community policing. By working together to analyze simulated community issues and formulate appropriate responses, participants gained practical experience and built confidence in their ability to apply the newly acquired knowledge in their respective jurisdictions.

Sergeant Audain and Constable Davis-Williams both expressed profound appreciation for the transformative learning experience they gained during the course. Sergeant Audain described the training as a reawakening of her passion for community work, solidifying her belief in community policing as a cornerstone of peaceful community development. Constable Davis-Williams echoed this sentiment, highlighting the value of the practical strategies shared by Inspector Greaves and expressing her intention to integrate these approaches into her policing efforts within St. Kitts and Nevis. The Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force commended both officers for their commitment to professional growth and pledged to integrate community policing strategies across the Federation, demonstrating a commitment to enhancing community relations and improving public safety.