Manager & Founder - Officer Derrick Sharbodie, M.O.M

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Profile of Police Officer Derrick Sharbodie 
Officer Derrick Sharbodie is the recipient of a National Award, the Chaconia Public Service Medal of Merit Silver, in 2011. He is, at present, attached to Western Division Community Policing.
In April 2015 Officer Sharbodie made history by being the first
Community Policing Officer that address delegates at Caribbean Region Commonwealth Youth Ministers’ Meeting and Youth Leaders Forum theme entitled “Youth Participation at the heart of national development” in Antigua. He also formed part of a panel that presented
recommendations to Ministers and delegates in attendance in the area of Youth and Violence
In June 2015 Officer Sharbodie along with his Assistant Leader Officer Singh and members of the St. James Police Youth Club were one of the two Honoree’s selected by WeBeat St. James Live Festival.
In November of 2014 Officer Sharbodie travelled to the United Kingdom all-expense paid and was awarded by the Common Wealth Secretariat at the House of Commons London for the outstanding Youth Work in the Caribbean Region and is presently the Common Wealth Youth Ambassador.
Officer Sharbodie in March 2015 received extensive training and is certified in Best Practice in Youth & Violence
Methodology hosted by Fight For Peace Global Alumni which was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and as a result the St. James Police Youth Club is now a registered member of the International Fight For Peace Global Alumni Team Program.
 
Officer Sharbodie is:
  • The Founder of the St. James Police Youth Club, established in 1992, one of the most vibrant Police Youth Clubs in Trinidad and Tobago. He has been the Manager since its inception. He joined the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service in April of 1989.
  • The Outreach Coordinator of Project Excel established in 1996 – a National Drug Prevention programme which is geared towards keeping our young people drug free and promoting healthy lifestyles.
  • In 1999 he attended and participated in a three week DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education)
Programme in Barbados. Being the youngest among the 36 officers, he emerged “Most All Round Officer” and was the valedictorian, an achievement which was highlighted by several media houses.
  • In October 2000, as part of his International IVLP sponsored by the American Embassy, Officer Sharbodie participated in training programs in some of the best practices in Youth Services in Portland Oregon, Kansas City, North Carolina, Washington DC, New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia in the USA.
  • He has spearheaded several international Youth Exchange programmes in the area of Drug and Crime Prevention between the US and T&T Youth Leaders.
  • In 2000 his Youth Club Centre, located at #5 Sierra Leone Road, Petit Valley, established the first Substance Abuse Prevention and Suspension Program. The Centre, which is open and active six (6) days a week, houses an IT Lab, a Male and Female Support Group, Remedial Classes, classes in African and Tassa Drumming, African Dance, Garment Construction, and Computer & Small Appliance Repairs, a Music School hosted by The Ministry of The Arts & Multiculturalism (Brass, Wind & Steel Instruments), a16 piece steel orchestra, and is the temporary home for eight young men between the ages 11-21 years.
  • 2006 - Officer Sharbodie was presented with the Pierrot Award by Mr. Errol Fabien of Gayelle TV for his outstanding work with youth and in his community. 
  • In 2008 Officer Sharbodie and St. James Police Youth Club 16 piece Steel Orchestra performed for Their
Royal Highnesses at a rally at the Queen’s Park Oval and presented Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Cornwall, with a poem and a bouquet of flowers.
  • In 2008, together with several youth members of the St. James Police Youth Club, Officer Sharbodie and
Pastor Clive Dottin launched a project “Join a Club not a Gang, People Can Change”. It received TV6’s “Angel Among Us” citation, was recognized by CNC3, Synergy TV and Gayelle TV and is featured several times on the programme “I on Dependency”. 
  • In April 2009 Officer Derrick Sharbodie was part of an international panel and gave presentations at the Fifth Summit of the Americas Youth Forum “An investment in our Youth is an Investment in the Future”.
  • In October 2009 he was first runner up in the National Unsung Heroes, hosted by the First Caribbean International Comtrust Foundation Limited, for the establishment of his brain child – The Resident Programme for Youths At Risk.
  • In 2009 and 2010 Officer Sharbodie was given an award by His Worship the Mayor Port of Spain and the City Corporation for being an outstanding community outreach individual.           
  • In 2011 he was honored by The Campus of the University of the Southern Caribbean at its Caribbean Union Conference.
  • 2012 - St. James Police Youth Club received an Award from the British Council Sport Company of Trinidad & Tobago and the Sport Trust for their outstanding work in the International Youth Sport Leadership Training Programme for the Specially Abled.
  • 2011 – 2012 Officer Sharbodie, as a member of a team of officers, under the supervision of Sgt. Brassey, conducted training in Customer Service for Police Officers from various Divisions.
  • In 2013, with his Assistant Leader Officer Singh, he enabled the St. James Police Youth Club Elite
Drummers and Ignited Dancers, as part of their campaign ‘Put Down the Gun and Pick Up the Drums’ promoting Culture Over Crime , to take part in an International Drumming Competition “Drums of Thunder”  in Brooklyn, New York. They emerged winners in their first entry in the competition.
  • Due to his unique style of delivery, Officer Derrick Sharbodie is one of the most sought-after Police
Officers to conduct lectures and do presentations on topics such as Crime is Consequence, Bullying, Life Skills, Law and You, Life after School, Substance Abuse Prevention and Parenting.                            
These lectures have been conducted in Barbados, St Vincent and St Lucia.
  • Officer Sharbodie is trained and certified in Anger Management, Conflict Resolution and Youth Leadership and, in 2014, received training and certification as a Trauma Facilitator by Frank Dolly & Associates.
  • Some other awards received are from the American Embassy, The British High Commission, Aster Foundation of Trinidad and Tobago, Petit Juan Lions’ Club, Kiwanis Club, the International Association of Community Relations and Trinidad and Tobago Police Youth Club Organization, Emancipation Support Committee, Dr. Eric Williams T.C. Memorial Committee, NYACK’s Top 20 Stars of Tomorrow, Civilian Conservation Corps, Hands Across the Caribbean Unit Conference.
Officer Derrick Sharbodie is truly an inspiration to the youth. He was born and grew up on Nelson Street and became an orphan at age 14 while attending Belmont Junior Secondary School. Some teachers saw his potential and gave him money to ensure he continued to attend school and could eat. He rose above his circumstances and has gone on to live two of his dreams (i) becoming a nurturing and caring Police Officer and (ii) giving back to the youth in the same way his teachers gave to him.
Officer Sharbodie is married and the proud father of two children.