Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

RVIPF officers complete ‘close protection training’ in Bermuda

- CoP says training will equip force to provide broader range of policing responses
A Close Protection Training Session in progress. According to a press release from the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) on November 4, 2019, during the training in Bermuda, the officers were constantly assessed on the four core protection principals of reacting spontaneously, providing effective body cover, neutralising the threat and showing consideration for the principal. Photo: Internet Source/File
The first (left) and second (right) cohort of officers who recently completed a six-week Close Protection Training Course in Bermuda. Photo: RVIPF
The first (left) and second (right) cohort of officers who recently completed a six-week Close Protection Training Course in Bermuda. Photo: RVIPF
According to Commissioner of Police, Mr Michael B. Matthews, the close protection training will equip the force going forward to provide a broader range of policing responses and ensure the safety and security of high profile visitors to the territory. Photo: VINO/File
According to Commissioner of Police, Mr Michael B. Matthews, the close protection training will equip the force going forward to provide a broader range of policing responses and ensure the safety and security of high profile visitors to the territory. Photo: VINO/File
HAMILTON, Bermuda– Eight officers from the Armed Response Unit of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) have successfully completed a six-week Close Protection Training Course in Bermuda and, according to Commissioner of Police Michael B. Matthews, the training will equip the force to provide broader range of policing responses.

The Course was conducted by the Bermuda Police Force from July to December 2019.

The first cohort, inclusive of four officers from the RVIPF, attended the Course from July to August 2019. They were also the very first to do so from the [British] Virgin Islands. The second training session was conducted from September to October 2019, and four more officers attended.

International standards for close protection

According to a press release from the RVIPF on November 4, 2019, during the training, the officers were constantly assessed on the four core protection principals of reacting spontaneously, providing effective body cover, neutralising the threat and showing consideration for the principal.

The Course also focused on CPO shooting, Officers safety training, Vehicle tactics and convoy driving, Route planning, Driving skills among other areas. The Course concluded with the officers, who are now all trained to the international standards for close protection, enacting real time scenarios with the Health Minister and Governor of Bermuda.

“Notably, the information and skills acquired from the Course will be beneficial to the RVIPF in elevating the level of service provided to high ranking officials and the public at large,” the press release stated.

Broader range of policing responses

Commissioner of Police, Michael B. Matthews stated “It is important the RVIPF stays at the forefront of the latest capabilities developed for policing at an international level.”

According to Mr Matthews, this training will equip the force going forward to provide a broader range of policing responses and ensure the safety and security of high profile visitors to the territory.

“I am advised my officers did extremely well during the training and I thank them for being a credit to the RVIPF.”

12 Responses to “RVIPF officers complete ‘close protection training’ in Bermuda”

  • lol (05/11/2019, 09:45) Like (10) Dislike (3) Reply
    are you sure that they past the test? because recently some went to guyana on a training course and to my surprise all of them fail.
    • Get your facts (05/11/2019, 14:17) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      No police officers have been to Guyana to do any training and no police officers have gone overseas and failed any course. Go get your facts straight and stop being a hater.
  • Ok now (05/11/2019, 09:46) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Let us see if the premier will use these guys to cut cost to us the taxpayers
  • Premier's bodyguards (05/11/2019, 10:55) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    Cost of $100,000 a month seems expensive..time to change to regular police protection?
    • bvi (08/11/2019, 08:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Regular police protection you say, these officers were trained up to international standard, meaning that they can provide close protection duties worldwide, those security guards who the premier hire are regular guards.
  • bat man (05/11/2019, 11:36) Like (16) Dislike (5) Reply
    We don’t trust the police
  • Tolian (05/11/2019, 13:13) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    These training are Great. But Officers life are at Stake! More Training and the same pay rate 1800 -2900 , only in the BVI
  • Oh yeah (05/11/2019, 14:07) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    Are any of them Virgin Islanders?
  • See (05/11/2019, 18:55) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    who cares ?
  • trrefdrfds (11/11/2019, 08:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    word on the streets that there are serious issues between the rvipf and the regular security guards from FLR, those regular unarmed untrained security guards who are being paid that ridiculous amount of monies from tax payers are enjoying a free ride, word is that the premier do not want the police around him, WHYYYYYYYY, HMMMMMM, very strange, we will see what happen.


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.