Senior V.I.P.D. Staff Being Sent To Multiple States For Advance Training From May 5

ST. THOMAS — In an effort to strengthen their skills, Virgin Islands police officers and staff will learn advanced techniques in forensics, crime scene documentation, investigation, analysis and management practices beginning early next month, according to a press release Government House issued today.

According to the release, Governor Kenneth Mapp said the move keeps in line with his administration’s commitment to give officers new tools to solve crimes and to assist in convicting criminals. Eleven Virgin Islanders are set to participate in the May and June training sessions.

One detective from each district will attend a two-day Forensic Pathology and Investigation Seminar conducted by the Police Agency Training Council in Indianapolis, Indiana beginning May 5. The emphasis of this training is on advanced investigative and evidence collection techniques in order to assist detectives in “drawing sound and defensible forensic conclusions”, the release says.

On May 9, V.I.P.D. sergeants will attend leadership training with the Federal Law Enforcement Executive Development Association in Ridgeland Mississippi. This five-day training course emphasizes management, discipline, liability and problem solving techniques.

Also beginning on May 9, is a course in crime scene photography and documentation hosted by the CSI Academy of Florida. This training is geared toward both officers and crime scene technicians and will teach a variety of new techniques, as well as present mock crime scenes for analysis.

Two Virgin Islanders will attend the 2016 Crime Analysis Training Conference hosted by the Massachusetts Association of Crime Analysts in Hyannis, Massachusetts May 9-13. This training will cover fundamentals of crime and evidence analysis, emergency preparation, legal issues and other topics related to planning and implementation of local policy based on accurate data.

Three officers will take part in specialized investigative training with the Southern Police Institute on June 9-10 in Greenwood, Indiana. The emphasis of this course is on conducting quality and legally defensible background investigations. The V.I.P.D must conduct such screenings for all its sworn and non-sworn personnel and for other government agencies on request.

The governor said it was critical that local enforcement be given the tools and training they need to effectively and professionally carry out their duty to protect and serve the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Earlier this month, eight V.I.P.D. officers were part of the first group to begin a rigorous six-month training course with the New York Police Department. The officers have all been on the job for five years or less and are required to remain with the V.I.P.D. for three years in order to receive the advanced training. Mr. Mapp said his administration is committed to sending 16 officers per year to be trained at the N.Y.P.D. Academy.