Glenroy Sinclair, Staff ReporterAMID GROWING concern about the competence of police personnel in confrontations with criminals, scores of police personnel are returning to the Police Academy at Twickenham Park, St. Catherine, to complete a number of refresher courses, sharpening their shooting skills and updating themselves on the new Use of Force Firearm Policy.
"There has always been a refresher course, but there are now more courses for more people," Deputy Commissioner Lucius Thomas told The Sunday Gleaner last week.
Last February, Police Commissioner Francis Forbes said members of the Police Force would have to undergo an annual training and certification for the use of force and firearms, as the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) moved to modernise its operations.
Meanwhile Mark Waller, press and political officer, at the British High Commission in Kingston, said on Friday, the United Kingdom Government was in the process of evaluating a Firearms Training Develop-ment and Weapons Maintenance Course, it sponsored in May last year.
"The evaluation is taking place with a view of considering to continue financing the programme," said Mr. Waller.
A year ago, 31 rank and file officers graduated from the UK-sponsored course, which focus on a human rights approach to the management of conflict with an emphasis on the safety of both the public and JCF members. Inspector Sonia James of the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN) said these officers are now out in the field training other officers.
"The programme focused on the safe and effective use of firearms," said Inspector James.
In August 2002, the United States Government equipped the JCF with two Firearms Training Systems (FATS). The machines are designed specifically to improve one's judgement. It is an indoor shooting range which produced about 1,200 scenarios featuring actors engaged in robberies, kidnappings, drug deals, many other crimes and suspicious activities. The equipment is fully-computerised and can be used with one's personal side arms, or firearms that are directly attached to the system. No ammunition is required. Everything is based on the mechanism of the computer system.