The Training Department of the Royal Montserrat Police Force launched its fifth course to be conducted locally in Montserrat on Monday, January 31, 2011. The course ended on Friday, February 4, 2011.
Acting Inspector Derona Semper is responsible for the training and development within the RMPF and she told The Montserrat Reporter (TMR), that the importance of traffic accident investigation or collision investigation, as it is commonly called, cannot be overstated. “It ranges from the basic police function, the protection of life and property to restoring the free flow of traffic. To be an investigator, there are certain qualities that must be present, qualities such as enthusiasm, sincerity, responsibility and impartiality,” she said.
She explained: “The aim of the course was to equip the officers with the requisite skills that would allow them with competence and professionalism, to effectively and efficiently investigate incidents of traffic accidents, and the ability to use the three E’s (Education, Engineering and Enforcement) as catalysts to reduce the number of traffic accidents occurring on island.”
The Course was delivered by the Training department assisted by officers: Fire Officer Wade, who is a Road Traffic Accident Instructor and members of the Traffic Department (Sgt George Ryan, Constable Keniel Murraine and George Gilford).
Subjects delivered were: Vehicle Dynamics; Extrication methods; Accident Scene Safety; The qualities of a traffic accident investigation; Investigative procedures of Traffic Accidents; The Law as it relates to Traffic, and triangulation.
Both Deputy Commissioner of Police, Paul Morris and Inspector Darroux of the CID have made commendable statements on radio in respect of the training course.
Prior to this course the four other courses that have been conducted so far on island. They are:- Interviewing techniques, Court Prosecutors; Systematic Search Procedures; and Recruitment.