A number of officers of the Royal Anguilla Police Force are being trained by a Forensic Consultant, Mr. David Lloyd, and a retired Detective Superintendent, Mr. Paul Burgan, both from the United Kingdom.
Speaking about the training, which began on Monday, July 19, at the Police Conference Room, Mr. Lloyd and Mr. Burgan told the officers that, among other matters, it covered initial scene attendance at a major crime incident. They stressed that the officers’ role, at that stage, was very important in that what they did, or failed to do, would have a massive impact on the investigations going forward.
The trainers also spoke about the stages of the investigations, including what they referred to as “the building blocks” in terms of what the officers should or should not do; the importance of forensics, as part of the investigations; and several related matters. Other components of the course include domestic abuse and sexual offences.
Commenting on the training, Commissioner David Lynch, who arrived in Anguilla recently, told The Anguillian newspaper that the officers, attending the training, were already very knowledgeable about their work – but that there was a need for further training in terms of best practices. “This course is going to teach them all the scientific advances and, as I said a few seconds ago, the officers are very good, but this training is going to bring them up to speed with the latest advances and best practices,” he further stated.
He disclosed that while it was necessary to bring the two trainers to Anguilla, so that a large number of officers could benefit at once from the local training, plans were in hand for individual officers, in the various departments, to attend certain specialised courses overseas.
Additional training courses will include some areas of “constant learning” such as how persons in cell blocks are managed. He stressed that there was a need to refresh the officers in this area of work as it was an area of “constant” or continuing learning.
So far, the Royal Anguilla Police Force has a membership of 100 officers along with some support staff.
