Nineteen members of the local constabulary are taking part in a five-day Recruit Syllabus Orientation workshop, during which they will pilot the proposed syllabus of the Regional Security System (RSS) Training Institute.{{more}}

The opening ceremony of the workshop was held yesterday at the Old Montrose Police Station.

Speaking at the opening, Director of Training, Dominican ACP Yvonne Alexander said an analysis had been conducted among member states of the RSS and an assessment revealed various deficiencies within the police forces of the member states.

She said it was therefore recommended that a training institute be established to address some of the anomalies.

Alexander noted that the RSS Training Institute has since been established, thanks to the dynamic leadership of commander Tyrone James and a team that worked with him over the past three years.

She said the Institute seeks to standardise training in all RSS member states, thereby allowing for a more structured response to the issues of crime, security threats to the region as well as an opportunity to affect crime and instability in a more meaningful way.

Pointing out the Institute’s vision, Alexander noted that they are building a foundation of excellence through standardised training.

“Our mission is to enable the continuous development of the security sector through learning, professional standards and conduct.”

She said a major development of the RSS Training Institute has been the development of the recruit training syllabus.

According to Alexander, the syllabus was completed with the technical assistance of curriculum specialist Gerard Phillip of Trinidad and Tobago.

Alexander thanked Phillip for work done and noted that he will be the lead facilitator for the workshop, which runs until July 26.

She said the syllabus was completed with technical support and seeks to provide a structured, co-ordinated, standard approach to recruit training and is intended to be used as a foundation of higher learning.

“We are here to ensure that the syllabus does not remain as another piece of work relegated to a shelf somewhere, but that it becomes an instrument that will revolutionise the way we train and position our law enforcement personnel for the security environment of our future…,” Alexander said.

She said the objectives for the workshop are to apprise all stakeholders of the aims, objectives and content of the syllabus. To specify the scope and depth of the content, outline assessment methods and to discuss preferred teaching and learning methodologies.

She said at the end of the workshop, participants should become sufficiently familiar and comfortable with not only the content, but the method of delivery.

Alexander noted that they have been able to secure funding for initiative from the Government of Canada, through the department of foreign affairs and International trade.

Sharing brief remarks, Assistant Commissioner of Police Frankie Joseph, who was given the task of declaring the ceremony open, said the workshop demonstrates the commitment of the pioneers behind the institute to enhance training across the region, by standardising basic training and building capacity in the training schools in the RSS member states.

He noted that the evolution of sophisticated crimes has given law enforcement agencies no alternative but to “step up their game”.

“This training must first start at our basic training level to acclimatise the recruits to the environment in which they will operate,” Joseph said.

Joseph told the police officers that their participation in the workshop is critical. He said St Vincent and the Grenadines is privileged to be the first RSS member state to pilot the proposed syllabus.

“…Change is inevitable. Criminals are changing and we too must change absolute practices into dynamic, strategic approaches,” Joseph said.(KW)