BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - IN an effort to further improve crime fighting initiatives, 12 police officers are currently being trained in the proper procedure of Video Interviewing and Recording Statements.
This training course is the second in a series to be held with the aim of drastically improving the capabilities of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF).
The training sessions began this morning (Nov. 5) and would run daily for one week with a graduation ceremony on Friday (Nov. 9).
The course is being funded by the Unites States government with facilitators John Bailey and David Cater of the United Kingdom.
At the opening ceremony, held at the Police Training School this morning, Commissioner of Police Celvin ‘CG’ Walwyn said that the US government has contributed immensely to the course, which has come at an opportune time as a course of this nature is greatly needed.
He said that recently there were two cases that were thrown out in court because of lack of proof on the part of obtaining the statements, which have led to the RSCNPF seeking to mandate video interviewing.
He went on to state that with continued efforts to enhance the RSCNPF, the Federation would be the model agency for the Caribbean with regards to the use of technology in criminal investigations.
He also revealed that following the graduation of the students, 10 of them would be chosen to be a part of the Violent Crime Task Force and that they would receive additional training at the end of the month.
Commander of the Training School Inspector Lionel Moore explained that the officers would be trained in the process of video interviewing suspects and taking statements.
"The officers are being trained in the proper procedure of recording statements in relation to violent crimes. In recording statements, officers must observe certain rules, certain protocols and failure to do so may end up with, even though the person is being charged, the matter being thrown out in court.
"If we obtain the statement through duress or through fear induced in that person, the statement can be thrown out in court. So by using video interviewing, it is clear so that both the prosecution and the defence can see that what we are doing is fair. And the fairness is on both sides, not for the prosecution alone, but the defence as well," he explained.
Moore went on to state that this new venture is an important one, noting that the new Evidence Act makes provision for it and that the officers are now retooling, as they move forward in being better prepared in the fight against crime.
"This is critical to our investigation process. We record all statement by video so that any persons can view it and see that the officers are proficient in whatever we are doing," he said.
Twelve police officers have already been trained in the previous Video Interviewing Training Course which took place from October 29 to November 2. All officers would graduate on Friday.
