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Eight officers undergo 6-week course in close protection skills | Trained to int’l standard

File photo of officers of the Armed Response Unit in the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF.)

Eight police officers from the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) are now trained to the international standards for close protection, after recently completing a six-week Close Protection Training Course in Bermuda.

This is according to a RVIPF media release which said that the officers, who are all from the Armed Response Unit, underwent training headed by the Bermuda Police Force.

Commissioner of Police Michael Matthews said the course was undertaken so the officers could sharpen their skill set.

“It is important the RVIPF stays at the forefront of the latest capabilities developed for policing at an international level. This training will equip the force going forward to provide a broader range of policing responses and ensure the safety and security of high-profile visitors to the Territory,” Commissioner Matthews stated.

“I am advised my officers did extremely well during the training and I thank them for being a credit to the RVIPF,” he added.

The course involved the officers continually being assessed on the four core protection principles which included providing effective body cover, neutralising threats, reacting spontaneously and showing consideration for the principal.

They were also trained in several other areas such as close protection operative shooting, vehicle tactics and convoy driving, officer’s safety and route planning.

The eight officers were evenly split into two separate cohorts. The first cohort, which was the first set of officers to take part in the course, attended from July to August this year.

The second cohort took part in training from September to October.

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12 Comments

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  1. ? says:

    So will they be replacing the high priced private company that is guarding Andrew?

    • No says:

      Mr. Fahie is very important and so needs private security even if the public service is equally or greater qualified. I don’t see him making a change. He’ll have security for the rest of his life.

    • @? says:

      When NDP was squandering the Millions on the Pier park, the airport, the High school, and unnecessary contractor work that could have been done by PWD, WHERE WERE YOU THEN?!

      Like 5
      Dislike 5
    • Protection says:

      Yup Fahie needs eight police officers for protection. There is a lot of Fahie to protect. Orlando maybe 1 1/2 officers. Fahie definitely at least 8. Lmao. Such bulls**t. Training for nothing

      Like 6
      Dislike 4
  2. oh yeah boy says:

    Are any of them Virgin Islanders?

    Like 6
    Dislike 5
  3. vip heckler says:

    Will they protect the premier at a lower cost?

    Like 1
    Dislike 3
  4. Realky says:

    After 6 weeks training who can they really protect. It’s all about experience. They far from ready.

    How many of you will let a rookie with no experience protect you? Keep up taking security for a joke man. Times are changing.

  5. SEAllyne says:

    Of course they will need refresher training but it is a good start over the long term. Look at the credentials of those teaching along with what training they were able to get over the x years of experience!

  6. Kung Fu says:

    Does anyone know the training of the security officers guarding the premier now?

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