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Royal Navy team train police in the Caribbean

Royal Navy team train police in the Caribbean
The Royal Navy has successfully delivered navigation and small craft courses in the Caribbean.

Over four weeks, 22 marine police officers from the UK Caribbean Overseas Territories developed and improved their knowledge of handling small vessels, learning a variety of tactics, techniques and procedures to help with maritime security patrols.

A further 12 officers from the Royal Turks and Caicos Police Force Marine Unit were taught engineering and maintenance procedures and practices.

The courses were delivered by the Royal Navy International Maritime Training Team (IMTT) as part of a project between the Royal Turks and Caicos Police and the UK Defence Section in Jamaica.

WO2 Martin Power, officer in charge of the five-strong IMTT, said: “This training is very important in the global challenge of securing international maritime borders and for enhancing relations between the UK and UK Overseas Territories.

This training is very important in the global challenge of securing international maritime borders and for enhancing relations between the UK and UK Overseas Territories

WO2 Martin Power, officer in charge of the IMTT

“These opportunities allow the maritime defence community like RTCIPF to develop skills on their own equipment, realise their potential and thus improve understanding in their operating areas. Ultimately it results in greater efficiency and effectiveness.”

The training, which operated out of the marine branch headquarters at Long Bay, Providenciales – an island in the northwest – included personnel from Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, Montserrat and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Commissioner of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police James Smith said: “The training will enhance officers’ knowledge when manoeuvring and operating the vessels at nights and during inclement weather which can better their skills, especially during search-and-rescue operations.”

Turks and Caicos Islands Governor Peter Beckingham said: “I welcome this training programme which, in addition to the year-round presence of a Royal Navy vessel in the Caribbean, is evidence of the commitment to national security that the UK provides to the Turks and Caicos Islands and the other Caribbean Overseas Territories.”

The project was jointly funded by the UK’s Conflict, Security and Stability Fund, as well as the UK MOD’s Defence Assistance Fund.

Turks and Caicos is an archipelago of 40 low-lying coral islands, southeast of the Bahamas.

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