UK marine specialists to train local law enforcement officers next year
Six United Kingdom specialist marine police officers will be making their way to the territory early next year to join the ranks of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force for two months to provide training and mentoring in marine policing and enforcement.
A joint media release from the Office of the Governor and the Premier’s Office on Monday said the training will include advanced boat handling and interdiction skills.
Speaking on the initiative, Governor Augustus Jaspert said this secondment will be invaluable to both the UK and BVI law enforcement officers.
“For BVI, it will enhance local capability in marine policing and interdiction, developing the skills of our local officers and the resilience of our law enforcement institutions. It aims to leave a lasting legacy of stronger local capability,” the governor said.
“For the UK officers, it will be an opportunity to learn from officers in BVI about the unique challenges we face and our cross-agency collaboration. I am grateful to the UK for this support at this critical time,” he added.
Premier welcomes capacity building
Premier Andrew Fahie said the territory welcomes the capacity-building of local law enforcement agencies in marine training and mentoring.
“I have asked the Chairman of the Joint Task Force Mr Wade Smith to ensure that the officers capitalise on the technical expertise and to ensure that the knowledge gleaned from this practical exchange is cascaded across all law enforcement agencies as we continue to prepare the territory for the future in this new regular,” Fahie stated.
The UK government will cover the costs of the deployment and the salaries of the UK officers. The UK officers will follow all health protocols on entering the BVI to ensure there is no risk. The BVI government will meet the costs of any quarantine.
Copyright 2024 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
This is excellent news and just what we need. It’s great UK is remembering and helping us given the issues they are dealing with at the moment.
Another great bit of work by the Governor who is keeping his foot on the pedal right to the end. It should help re counter smuggling, which is even more important in Covid times.
I truly hope that the Governor … includes Customs in the training
It’s amazing that Customs is responsible for BORDER CONTROL in ALL of the ISLANDS
British Virgin Islands, Cayman and Bermuda etc…
yet, in many cases Customs Departments are left out
What will change really? NOTHING! Money talks…the rest walks..NEXT!
Where the Governor bashers for this then?? The Governor has been and is doing a great job and its unfortunate that other political individuals are so threatened they have turned it into a them and us issue to try and get their way.
Don’t worry, if they think Gus was bad, wait until they meet the new guy! It will be very interesting so grab your popcorn before they sellout!
Don’t act brand new last time they send them , it was the locals training the UK officers. this not your backyard boys
The first thing I notice is them need a nutritionist and an instructor. They can make good human anchor and ballast for the boat!
Training the police? How about reforming the enforcement system!
There were 2 marine fatalities (one in Dec 2019 and one January 2020). Both involved locals driving boats breaking marine rules (going too fast in a no-wake zone and using unlicensed boats). The people killed were tourists not from the BVI. NO CHARGES HAVE BE BROUGHT!
If you don’t enforce the rules, how you going to train the water cops????
The entire system needs to be corrected, or we are going to have more serious accidents once tourists return.
This will put crimp in the police’s drug running