The Royal Anguilla Police Force states that it has made significant strides in improving the management and deployment of armed officers.
As part of that achievement, an official opening ceremony for a new Firearms Simulation Training System has been organised for Friday, May 18, at Police Headquarters commencing at 10:00 a.m.
Invitations have been sent to a number of persons and organisations to attend the event. “You will receive a short presentation on firearms officers and deployments by the Royal Anguilla Police Force (RAPF),” the invitations stated. “There will then be a practical demonstration by two trainers on the simulator before being provided a personal opportunity to experience the simulator.”
The RAPF release continued: “The police use of firearms is a very high risk operational decision taken when officers may have to deal with persons suspected to be armed with firearms or are considered or otherwise dangerous. It is also a reasonable contingency to deploy to mitigate any risks of armed criminality including terrorism.
“The key to ensuring the safety of the public, suspect and police, is to have properly trained officers who can demonstrate competency in weapon handling and accuracy, but also critical decision-making on when the weapon should be used. The new simulator exposes officers to a wide variety of scenarios in which decision-making can be tested in a safe environment.
“In addition, we will show our intended plans for a formal Identification Parade Suite so that witnesses can view identity parades in a fashion which does not expose them to identification by the suspect. This is developed in accordance with our strategic objectives to improve criminal investigations and compliance with Code D of PACE (Police and Criminal Evidence Act) and the increased use of identity parades as fairness to suspects.
“The new suite will facilitate discreet entry by witnesses, the independent identification officer and the lawyer representing the suspect(s). This will be subject to video recording of the identification process. The suite is being constructed and we hope this may be also finished at the time of your visit.”
The invitations were circulated to Government officials, lawyers and media houses by Inspector Chrispen Gumbs who has responsibility for Training, Policy Development and Public & Media Relations.
