TRAINING COURSE FOR GDP MARINE SECTION

Police officers from the GDP's Marine Section are currently being trained to the highest international standards. Chief Instructor Andy Benson of the Ministry of Defence Police's Clyde Marine Unit and RYA Training Centre is in Gibraltar to run a two-week Advanced Power Boat course, using the GDP's Arctic 24 RIBs, each powered by twin 200 horse-power engines and capable of speeds of 55 knots. As these RIBs are capable of such high speeds, safety has been an important consideration throughout the training.

'The GDP officers have a lot of experience and loads of practical knowledge so my main task has been to update their theoretical background,' said Andy. 'They are doing really well. I'm particularly impressed with their existing skills but they have been receptive to the training. They've done everything I've asked of them with an open mind - and with smiles on their faces and they've been a pleasure to instruct.'

'The Marine Section was already well-trained,' explained Superintendent Rob Allen. 'But we are fortunate to have a sister organisation in UK which is at the forefront of marine policing and they train police officers to the very highest standard and certainly to the standard laid down by the Association of Chief Police Officers. As a specialist force with particular capabilities such as the Marine Section, it is important that we have people trained to the highest possible standard.

'It is a fantastic course and it standardises us with UK,' said Sergeant William Mellin, the GDP's Marine Co-ordinator. 'The students on this course are PCs Roydon Carrol, John Dalli, Stacey Rowbottom and Elliott Mor but we'll be running more courses later in the year to bring everyone up to this standard.'

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