Commissioner upskills sergeants

Commissioner of Police Michael Matthews said some sergeants in the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) had been promoted and asked to do a job without a job description or the prerequisite skills.

But he made it clear that he is seeking to provide the skill sets necessary for the rank to operate effectively.

“I see sergeants as the most important rank of the police force. Yet, some of you have been promoted and asked to do a job without a job description or the prerequisite skills.”

“One of my training priorities since coming to the Force has been to provide the leadership and management skills necessary for you to feel valued and respected in your rank, and to fulfill your role with confidence,” Commissioner Matthews said last Friday at the closing ceremony for a training initiative that targeted a first batch of 12 police officers.

The officers successfully completed two weeks of training in leadership and management specifically geared towards supporting the work of sergeants.

A second set of officers began classes this week as the final cohort of sergeants, added the RVIPF.

It stated that sergeants of the first cohort said they have a far better understanding of their roles as supervisors. They also have a better understanding of the importance of teamwork, the need for change in the RVIPF culture, and the benefits of quality leadership in enhancing the organisation.

In the aforementioned course, instructor Darby Allen, who is a former United Kingdom police officer and certified trainer, covered many topics. They included interviewing skills for supervisors, communication skills, transaction and transformation management skills, and conflict resolution.