King’s Trust alumni step into police service

Two young Barbadians who once participated in the King’s Trust International programme are now proudly wearing the uniform of The Barbados Police Service, crediting the initiative with helping them find their footing at a pivotal time in their lives.

At a press briefing on Wednesday at the Hastings/Worthing Police Station, 20-year-old Rebecca Bailey and Kareem Whitehall, 23, reflected on how the youth charity, formerly the Prince’s Trust, equipped them with the discipline, confidence and communication skills needed for life in uniform.

Bailey, a past student of Daryll Jordan Secondary, joined the King’s Trust in August 2023 and is now attached to the Criminal Investigations Department.

She said the programme’s residential experience and emphasis on personal development helped her get through six months of training at the police academy.

“I learned a lot. It helped me with communication and so on. In terms of the residential [experience], it helped me a lot being a police officer,” she said.

Bailey first encountered the Trust during a career showcase in secondary school and had long aspired to join the police service. Now two months out of training, she said the experience has reshaped her perspective.

“It has been good,” she said. “I see the world in a different light. My advice to young people is: determination breeds success.”

Whitehall, a former Combermere student, completed the programme in 2022. With six CXCs and an associate degree in music, he was unemployed and searching for direction when he enrolled.

“Before the Prince’s Trust programme, I was basically not doing anything, unemployed… I really wanted to develop my interpersonal skills before I became an officer,” he said.

“The Prince’s Trust really helped me in a lot of areas – personal skills, self-motivation, self-discipline, leadership skills, communication skills – and these things help me in my everyday policing life.”

Now a member of the Police Band, Whitehall specialises as a tuba player and also performs bass guitar and drums on parade.

He sees personal growth as essential to public service.

“I believe in growth, and growth is very important. I find in today’s world we should focus on developing ourselves and believing in change,” he said.

Offering advice to other young people, he added, “Whether it is you want to join law enforcement, whether you want to be a chef, whatever skills you have… this [King’s Trust] will help you develop before you enter the world of work, or you can either go back and continue pursuing your education. This is a prestigious and excellent programme, and I thank everyone who is a part of it.”

King’s Trust International, launched in Barbados in 2019, is the global arm of the UK-based youth charity founded by King Charles when he was Prince of Wales. The programme supports young people aged 16 to 30, particularly those facing barriers to employment or education, by equipping them with life, work, and leadership skills to help them thrive. (SZB)