Police respond to incident at SJPI fashion show

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a fight which broke out on Thursday at the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute (SJPI) during a fashion show being staged by the final-year students of the Garment Technology programme.
Members of the media, relatives and friends who attended the show, were taken by surprise when the altercation occurred among a group of students who Barbados TODAY understands was not involved in the event.
SJPI subsequently issued a statement which indicated that the matter was quickly brought under control by the security officers of the institute and the show continued.
Principal Ian Drakes, who happened to be speaking about improving the institution for students and society when the fight started, swung into action to help quell the situation.
The statement said that while there was no serious injury, the Barbados Police Service was called in to investigate the matter, in line with the established protocol.
“At the SJPI the safety and security of our students and persons conducting legitimate business on the campus are of paramount importance.
“Because no one can ever be safe enough, we continue to put measures in place to ensure a safe environment, but we feel there is always something more we can do.
“That is why we are working to include soft skills training and anger management into our curriculum. That is something the public and the media will hear more about in the coming weeks,’ Drakes said.
Police Public Affairs and Communications Officer, Acting Inspector Rodney Inniss, could not be reached for a comment on the matter.
(AH)