Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 29, 2015 (SKNIS): A two- week Bramshill Policing Advisors Investigative Interview course came to an end on Wednesday 28th October,2015, with an official closing ceremony at the Royal St Christopher and Nevis Police Force Training Complex.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, course facilitator, John Bailey, explained that the course was intense.
“The students have spent two weeks doing what, certainly, in the past in the U.K., I would spend four weeks spending time with the students,” Mr Bailey said.
He said that the course focused on a number of techniques including engaging, explaining and managing an account, closure and the evaluation of an interview. These skills, he said, will enable students to maximize the amount of information that an investigator would ascertain from an interview.
Constable James Jeffers, a student, described the course as comprehensive. He highlighted the interactive aspects of the course, explained that these sessions called on the students to discuss challenges faced during previous operations, and that the facilitator taught them how to overcome these challenges.
Also speaking about her experiences, Constable Sylvia Claxton, said that the information taught should enable students to become better investigators. She explained that the course has taught her how to conduct an interview including techniques of planning, sitting positions, and engaging and formulating questions.
Acting Commissioner of Police Stafford Liburd thanked the Government of National Unity for initiatives such as the Investigative Interviewing Course. He said that the Government has recognized that combating crime is of utmost importance to nationals of the Federation.
Acting Commissioner Liburd challenged students to utilize the techniques that they were exposed to in the course. He said that the Force had recognized a need for training in the area of conducting interviews.
Mr Liburd underscored the importance of being calm during an interview. Investigators should always plan the outcome of an interview as the criminals are also planning their own outcome, he said.
The ceremony ended with a presentation of certificates to twenty four officers of the Royal Saint Christopher and Nevis Police Force; one Child Protection Officer; and two officers of Her Majesty’s Customs and Excise Department.