The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force Academy held an official closing ceremony on February 7, for officers who participated in a Special Tactical Intervention Training Course.

Twenty-seven officers were selected for the intensive week-long program that educated officers in a combination of situational awareness, firearms, and self-defense techniques.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security, Sarah Dupres-Cotter, stated the importance of continued training for officers.

“The Ministry of National Security values your efforts and contributions and will continue to ensure that you are adequately equipped to perform your duties,” she said. “The objective of the training programme was to enhance your tactical skills, your decision-making abilities, to improve teamwork and to boost your confidence as police officers.  We cannot overstate the importance of training and development especially for law enforcement officers, as you are the ones tasked with maintaining law and order on the island.”

Prime Minister Hon. Philip J. Pierre spoke on the overarching work being done to improve the police force.

“This is the first time that the police have a ministry,” he explained. “Previously, you were added on to the Ministry of Home Affairs, but now there is a Ministry of National Security that deals with matters of the police. Within the resources that we have, we will continue to do what must be done for the police because of the important role that law enforcement plays. We have pledged between $1 to $1.3 million to provide every policeman in this country with a bullet proof vest once the supply is available. The intention of the government is to do the best that we can for the police force.”

Training participant, Sgt. Leozandrae De. Leon, said the course emphasis on safety and threat elimination is paramount to the execution of operational duties.