On Tuesday, August 25, 2026, the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF) extended its ongoing youth engagement work with a hands-on, interactive visit to Chances, an emergency shelter and care facility serving vulnerable children and youth across the island. This outing marked the latest activity under the force’s flagship Community Policing Initiative, carried out by members of the specialized Community Oriented Policing Unit, which aims to build trust between law enforcement and local communities through open dialogue and targeted education.
During the structured educational session, officers led age-appropriate discussions focused on equipping young attendees with the tools to make safe, responsible choices in their daily lives. Key topics covered included the long-term physical and social harms of underage drug and alcohol use, evidence-based strategies for navigating harmful peer pressure, practical steps to walk away from unsafe situations, the importance of respecting community and institutional rules, and how small individual decisions can shape long-term life outcomes. Beyond practical life skills, officers also took time to demystify the role of police in modern society, explaining clearly how law enforcement works to protect and serve all community members, including young people.
Feedback from the session was overwhelmingly positive: both the children staying at the facility and their on-site caretakers joined discussions actively, sharing personal concerns and asking questions openly. By the end of the visit, many participating children shared that they had gained new, useful information that addressed lingering uncertainties they had not previously had the chance to ask about. Multiple attendees requested that the CDPF organize similar interactive sessions on a regular basis.
The visit closed with an informal, lighthearted activity that left a lasting impression on the young participants: children lined up eagerly to try on official police caps, getting a small taste of what a career in law enforcement might look like. According to officers present, several children shared that they had developed a new interest in becoming police officers when they grew up.
Throughout the entire session, the core guiding message was repeated to reinforce the session’s purpose: “SAFE CHOICES, SAFER FUTURE!” The CDPF confirmed that this outreach is just one part of a sustained island-wide effort to educate young Dominicans, inspire positive life trajectories, and strengthen the collaborative relationship between law enforcement and the next generation of community members. The Community Policing Team has formally pledged to continue rolling out these accessible, engaging educational sessions in communities and care facilities across Dominica in the coming months.