Aug. 27, 2002 – Police Department personnel as well as law-enforcement officers from other government agencies will receive training from the Florida-based U.S. Police Instructor Teams, according to a Government House release. Training was conducted on St. Croix Monday and Tuesday, and on St. Thomas Wednesday and Thursday.
The training is needed "because our men and women in law enforcement are being asked to do more and more to protect our community," Gov. Charles W. Turnbull said in the release. Instruction will include team building, ethics, dynamics of a gunfight, approach techniques and verbalization.
Police Commissioner Franz Christian said the training is part of an overall effort to upgrade the department.
"It's something we need to continue growth," Ron Hatcher, the department's director of training, said. He said about 100 officers in each district are expected to participate.
Hatcher was not clear on the funding source for the program but said the money is not coming from the Police Department budget. Efforts to identify the funding source were unsuccessful.
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