Twenty-four officers of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) have come in for high praise following the completion of two one week courses on the electronic interviewing of vulnerable and intimidated witnesses.{{more}}

Speaking at the closing ceremony last Friday, January 17, at which the officers were awarded with certificates, Structured Interview Training and Investigation Consultant at the British High Commission David Cater said such training would usually take up to two weeks to complete, but the local officers did it within five days.

He said within those two five day periods, the police officers absorbed the training and had to learn the new legislation and how to use the recording equipment.

“They have worked extremely hard and have attained a very high standard. Very impressive if I may say so. It is a credit to them that they have achieved so much. They are a credit to the police service of St Vincent and the Grenadines,” Cater said.

He said St Vincent and the Grenadines is leading the way in adopting legislation for the recording of electronic suspect interviews and is now leading the way with the introduction of the Witness Special Measures Act – an act which, he said, with training, will make major contributions towards the fight against organized crime.

The Witness Special Measures Act, which was passed in Parliament on December 2, 2013, provides for an application to be made to the Court for a witness anonymity order and provides for special measures to be given in appropriate cases. These special measures include the giving of evidence by live link, video recorded evidence, the taking of evidence from outside of St Vincent and the Grenadines and prohibiting the defendant, in certain cases, from personally cross-examining a particular witness.

Cater commended the officers for the professionalism and dedication they demonstrated throughout the training.

Commissioner of Police Michael Charles said it makes him proud to know that the officers excelled in the programme within such a short space of time.

He urged the officers not to sit on what they have learned and put what they have learned into practice.

Director of Public Prosecutions Colin Williams also made brief remarks. The training course ran in two phases, beginning from January 6. John Bailey, also of the British High Commission, was the other trainer.(KW)