Sixteen police officers are now better equipped to deal with boarding activities at sea, after completing a five-day training course. The officers, from the Coast Guard Service and Rapid Response Unit, graduated last Friday from a Boarding Officers course.{{more}}

In his welcoming remarks, Coast Guard Commander Lieutenant Brenton Cain said that in this age of increased marine trafficking in illegal drugs, “we have to enhance and sharpen the skills of our officers”.

Speaking to the graduates, Commissioner of Police Keith Miller said that the course is timely, taking into consideration the increase in activities at sea. He said the officers of the Coast Guard and Rapid Response Unit are dedicated, and called them the “driving force behind the organization”. Miller said that it is important for them to be trained in order to carry out their jobs professionally. “With more training, it would make us better equipped,” he said. He urged the officers to continue to do their work with pride and not to be deterred by “mischief makers”.

LTJG Brino from the United States Southern Command (Mobile Education Training Team) said the officers’ course included training in international law, water preparation and procedures and use of force. Brino said the officers exceeded the objectives set by the instructors, and that he and his team are “eagerly looking forward to future engagements with SVG coast guard”.

The boarding training course was a collaboration of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Coast Guard Service and the United States Southern Command (mobile Education Training Team). Four instructors from the United States Southern Command conducted the course.(VM)