Eight officers undergo 6-week course in close protection skills
Eight police officers from the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) are now trained to the international standards for close protection, after recently completing a six-week Close Protection Training Course in Bermuda.
This is according to a RVIPF media release which said that the officers, who are all from the Armed Response Unit, underwent training headed by the Bermuda Police Force.
Commissioner of Police Michael Matthews said the course was undertaken so the officers could sharpen their skill set.
“It is important the RVIPF stays at the forefront of the latest capabilities developed for policing at an international level. This training will equip the force going forward to provide a broader range of policing responses and ensure the safety and security of high-profile visitors to the Territory,” Commissioner Matthews stated.
“I am advised my officers did extremely well during the training and I thank them for being a credit to the RVIPF,” he added.
The course involved the officers continually being assessed on the four core protection principles which included providing effective body cover, neutralising threats, reacting spontaneously and showing consideration for the principal.
They were also trained in several other areas such as close protection operative shooting, vehicle tactics and convoy driving, officer’s safety and route planning.
The eight officers were evenly split into two separate cohorts. The first cohort, which was the first set of officers to take part in the course, attended from July to August this year.
The second cohort took part in training from September to October.
Commissioner of Police Michael Matthews said the course was undertaken so the officers could sharpen their skill set.
“It is important the RVIPF stays at the forefront of the latest capabilities developed for policing at an international level. This training will equip the force going forward to provide a broader range of policing responses and ensure the safety and security of high-profile visitors to the Territory,” Commissioner Matthews stated.
“I am advised my officers did extremely well during the training and I thank them for being a credit to the RVIPF,” he added.
The course involved the officers continually being assessed on the four core protection principles which included providing effective body cover, neutralising threats, reacting spontaneously and showing consideration for the principal.
They were also trained in several other areas such as close protection operative shooting, vehicle tactics and convoy driving, officer’s safety and route planning.
The eight officers were evenly split into two separate cohorts. The first cohort, which was the first set of officers to take part in the course, attended from July to August this year.
The second cohort took part in training from September to October.
