Youths between the ages of 14 and 17 are encouraged to join a Cook Islands Police Service organised programme which will mark the relaunch of the Blue Light-led youth development training.

Police spokesman Trevor Pitt said the police force is hoping for an enthusiastic response from the community – parents and the young – for the relaunching of the Blue Light programme, on Rarotonga.

Pitt said the course activities are in the final stages of being organised in conjunction with a range of stakeholder partners, who will participate in the training.  

“This opportunity is open for up to 30 kids to be a part of an exciting chance to develop life skills and open leadership potential, through a variety of physical drills and workshop tutoring.”

Pitt said the Blue Light programme for the youth was launched back in 2014.  

“This will be the first full time course on Rarotonga for some years as previous training courses have been held in select outer islands, as a Blue Edge initiative.”

He said the range of activities to challenge and better-equip the young ones will involve a variety of life lessons, cultural and traditional knowledge, vaka sailing, demanding physical work, camp and trekking inland, and police areas of crime prevention like road safety, cyber security, drug and alcohol awareness.

The participants will undertake training with the Police staff and community stakeholders including local cultural and political leaders. This training aims to increase the motivation of the participants through self-discipline, cooperation, confidence and respect.

The participants will undertake a self-led community engagement project whilst on course. The self and group leadership skills to complete this project will be facilitated through the training. This project and their visibility in the community will allow them to demonstrate their capacity to be pro-social members of, and potential leaders in their community, Pitt said. 

He added that the Police Commissioner (Turepu James Keenan) will be approving a small contingent of officers to oversee and manage the course, with the input and cooperation of the external agencies and stakeholders.

The course will be held from April 19 to 28 and will be accommodated and staged at Marsters House.

“The Tupapa location is perfectly suited for access to town and the sports field of Victoria Park. It is open for both boys and girls.”