Hinds praises commitment of cadet force

National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds handed out letters of appointment TT Cadet Force Advisory Committee on Friday morning.

Hinds received the eight new committee members at Temple Court, Abercromby Street, Port of Spain.

They are: Dexter Mitchell, chairman, principal Presentation College; Commander Zin-Mark King, vice-chairman, deputy staff advocate TT Defense Force; Major David Benjamin, member, director, specialised Youth Services Programme for the Ministry of Youth Development and National Services; Aarti Bedassie-Maharaj, member, deputy permanent secretary Ministry of National Security; Gregory Quan Kep, member, principal St Benedict's College; Cindy Ramnarine, member, principal Bishop's High School, Tobago; Gary Ribeiro, member, principal Holy Cross College; and Jennifer Sampson-Farrell, member and a member of the Public Service Commission.

“Today the cadet force has diversified in this way and I appreciate each and every one of you who have been appointed to the advisory committee to lead policy directions for the current force institution,” Hinds said.

“On behalf of the TT government and on behalf of all the people of Trinidad, particularly the young people for whom you have accepted some responsibility, beyond those within your immediate responsibility as parents and grandparents, I would like to thank you all for your disposition in this committee.”

Hinds highlighted the willingness of the members to lend their professional experience to young people who need help.

“We live in a society where lawlessness and criminality continually threaten us. This youth development and sustainability programme is one of the many others we have for the very development of our society and one of the most important because it comprises the majority of the labour force. This concept will provide an ongoing password to keep young people away from the distracting and self-destructive antisocial forces.”

“I would like to thank you for understanding that and for choosing to be a part of this effort to protect our youth and guide them to success.”

Cadet Force leader, Lieutenant Colonel Reynold York, assisted Hinds with the delivery of letters.