Youth Minister Calls for Reform and Accountability

Kevin Bernard

Minister Bernard says that the shooting death of the teen and the need for stronger reform were discussed at this past cabinet meeting. But he also says individual officers must understand their role.

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Youth

“There is need for stronger reforms in the police department. There is need for us to ensure…and what was brought up to us, as you know that the recent intake of police officers – for the first time, these officers had to have a high school diploma; they didn’t accept just anybody. That’s one. But I think that it is from that stage that you start the proper training that has to be given and the discipline. For many, I have always said…when young people came to me, “Minister I need a recommendation, I really want to get into the police.” I said to them, “I can offer you a recommendation; it’s not my duty to tell you that you will get in, you have to do your part.” But at the end of the day, my advice to them was always, you want to get into the system, you want to get into the police, but remember your role as an officer, once you get accepted, is to protect your citizens and not to go and become a rogue cop.”