D’Nae Daniel wins Police week essay writing competition with piece calling on communities to come together to help stop crime. Photo: Provided

The Police Week's third Annual essay writing competition was held at the Police Headquarters recently. Photo: Provided

The prizes this year were sponsored by the Law Firm Harneys who was represented at the prize giving ceremony by Ms Shonda Leacock (centre back). Photo: Provided

D’Nae was among several young students of primary schools across the Territory who chose to participate in the RVIPF Police Week essay writing competition. She is a student of the Agape Total Life Academy.

The child titled her piece ‘It takes a village to bring up a child but it takes a community to stop crime’. It was no doubt a winning piece as she was awarded the first place prize for her very true and touching essay.

The title and content of her essay resonated well with Commission of Police (CoP) David Morris. While commenting on how well all the submitted essays highlighted the importance of police and residents engaging to the fight against crime, Morris, at the recent prize giving ceremony which was held at the Police Headquarters, mentioned the piece done by D’Nae.

“It is community effort and I am happy that even young people like D’Nae are aware that the community must work together to reduce crime and maintain public tranquility,” stated CoP Morris.

The competition was the third of its kind for the Police Week activities and this year the prizes were sponsored by the Law Firm Harneys. At the simple prize giving ceremony three students were awarded prizes; first place winner D’Nae Daniel of the Agape Total Life Academy, the second place winner Caliyah Charles of the Willard Wheatley Primary School and third place winner Jared Jones of the Agape Total Life Academy.

Primary school students around the Virgin Islands were invited to participate in the competition by composing an essay on the topic: ‘Police need the cooperation from all members in our communities.’

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCoP) Alwin James was also on hand to congratulate and endorse the writing of the children. He expressed his gratitude to all schools and students who participated in the contest this year. He congratulated the winning students on a job well done in tackling such a challenging topic.

Shonda Leacock who attended on behalf of the law firm Harneys noted how proud Harneys was to be a part of a youth-based programme such as this that emphasizes writing and communication skills which are so critical for success.

The winners received prizes which included a tablet computer, digital camera and a gift certificate redeemable at the National Educational Bookstore. Cedar International School was for the second year in a row the recipient of a cheque in the sum of $500 for the most of entries.

Police Week 2014 ended last Saturday, March 1, 2014 and was celebrated under the theme “Crossing the cultural barriers to better serve our neighbourhoods."