Police undergo training for World Cup 2007

With only five months to go until the ICC Cricket World cup bowls its way into the Caribbean, close protection security is the priority for local police.

Last Friday at the Montrose police station, 20 police officers graduated from a two-week course on Close Protection.

PC 396 Mahlon Cuffy and Corporal 194 Benzil Samuel were the most outstanding students.{{more}}

The officers were faced with the challenges of how to operate close surveillance, residential security, use of pistols, and conflict resolution.

Facilitator of the course, Mark Harry of the England based company Task International, said that he was very pleased with the commitment shown by the officers. He added that security should be at the top of everyone’s list and it should never be taken for granted.

On the issue of conflict resolution, Harry said there were many ways in which differences can be settled other than through violent means.

“Talking helps to solve problems and it should be used more often,” he said.

Featured speaker and former West Indies cricketer, Michael Findlay, said that when St. Vincent and the Grenadines hosts the first warm-up matches early in 2007 security must be at world class standard.

“We have to start to think like terrorists, we have to note to ourselves that this is a worldwide event and things like this attract terrorist activities,” said Findlay.

With Cricket World cup being the third largest event in the world behind the Olympics and FIFA world cup soccer, thousands of supporters are expected to converge at Arnos Vale playing field for the first warm up match which will be played here on March 5, 2007 between England and Australia.