Police officers graduate from ‘Jungle and Survival’ course

Graduates from the recently concluded Regional Security System (RSS) Jungle and Survival course held here have been encouraged to use the knowledge gained to tackle criminal activity.{{more}}

Twenty-nine officers, 15 from St Vincent and the Grenadines and 14 from Barbados, successfully completed the two-week training course.

They were presented with certificates during a ceremony at the Old Montrose Police Training School on August 24.

Advisor to the Ministry of National Security Sir Vincent Beache told the officers that criminals are becoming advanced daily and their methods of crime fighting must also be advanced.

He explained that in order to combat these new elements of crime, continuous training must be done and officers must not take their training for granted.

“As we get more civilized … the modern means of transportation and communication etc, they (criminals) are going to depend on also and that can lead to serious consequences that can challenge the law enforcement agencies…” Sir Vincent said.

He also spoke of the importance of the jungle training, which he said will be an asset for the officers to combat marijuana cultivation in the mountains here.

He said that because of the rich soil locally, many foreigners travel to St Vincent and plant the illegal drug.

“Because of the rich soil, so they will be able to get four crops per year … so we have to be vigilant and use the knowledge that you have gained to try and suppress these criminal elements,” Sir Vincent told the officers.

Deputy Commander of the Regional Security Service Major Wilbert Kirton shared the same sentiments, as he highlighted the importance of training programmes, which, he said, would enable law enforcement officers to adapt to the changing global environment.

Meanwhile, then Acting Commissioner of Police Reynold Hadaway said the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force will continue to expose its personnel to training.(AA)