24 in Law Enforcement Complete RSS Range Management Level 3 CVQ

Law enforcement officials should never be “high-handed or show-offish” when using firearms.

This was strongly emphasised by Director of Emergency Logistics and Policy, Ministry of Home Affairs, Barbados, Colonel (Ret’d) Glyne Grannum, during his feature address at the closing ceremony for the Regional Security System’s Range Management Qualification Level 3 CVQ Course, recently. He was speaking to the 24 graduates who comprised officers from the police, military, prison, customs and security agencies from RSS Member States.

Reminding the Officers of the framework which governs the use of armed force by state security personnel, Colonel Grannum stressed the importance of continuous training and adherence to the policy.

“The framework of legal, ethical and procedural principles [was] designed to balance public safety with individual rights. While rules for opening fire may vary from jurisdiction and between services, a triad of core principles of legal accountability, necessity and proportionality are universal. So continuous training and adherence to legal framework are critical to minimising harm and sustaining public trust,” he explained.

Noting that the course participants were trained in various aspects of firearm usage, Col. Grannum emphasised the dangers associated with improper use of firearms, and stressed that it could be very costly if due care was not taken.

“You could alter the course of somebody’s life, you could have an effect at the strategic, political and international levels. Consequences could include criminal prosecutions, internal disciplinary action, civil lawsuits and independent oversight…” he said. “Take careful note that the legal basis is rooted in international standards.”

Click here to subscribe to read the full article in the E-paper!