The Royal Bahamas Police Force is now better equipped to deal with the threat of bomb and terror attacks in the country after receiving half a million dollars worth of equipment and training from the United States Embassy.
The U.S. Embassy on Tuesday presented the Bomb Squad with two bomb protection suits and two portable x-ray machines as part of the U.S. Anti-Terrorism Assistance (ATA) programme.
The suit, which covers the entire body except the hands, would reportedly protect an officer from bomb blast fragmentation.
The training and equipment are reportedly valued at $500,000 and include a disrupter that interrupts bombs, a magnifying glass, hammer, screwdriver, wrench, pliers and a manual x-ray kit.
“No matter how insignificant it may seem, we now have to take all of this equipment with us on every call that we make. It’s always best to have and don’t need it than need it and don’t have it,” Corporal Franklyn Dorsett said.
“We have to make sure that we stay on top of the game when it comes to terrorism and bombings.”
The equipment was presented after a six-week training course on explosive incident counter-measures that six police officers attend in Baton Rouge, Louisiana from October to December last year.
Police officers have undergone similar training in the past, but this is the first time it has been so rigorous, according to officials.
Officers reportedly studied the assessment, neutralization and safe disposition of conventional and improvised explosive/incendiary devices and materials.
They carried out out-door live-fire explosive range activities and other practical exercises to rehearse the correct courses of action of the neutralization of dangerous devices, officials said.
They also reportedly developed emergency response plans and learnt how to investigate explosive incidents.
“The training was very rigid. It was both a theoretical and practical experience. We became familiar with the equipment, how to use it and when to use it and so it was a very good experience,” said Sergeant Doyle Burrows Sr.
“The Bahamas is considered a soft target, but we have persons who are trained and capable of rendering the necessary assistance when it comes to terrorism.”
Officials said they typically deal with three categories of bomb threats.
According to Corporal Dorsett, category ‘A’ means that a life is at risk; category ‘B’, damage to a structure; and category C, no damage to life or property.
Corporal Dorsett admitted that prior to receiving the training, the officers would simply go out and look for things that are out of order in the workplace.
“More than likely only the employees would be able to tell the police if that is the case. So we wouldn’t know what is really out of place and what is not. We were running a big risk,” he said.
The officers are expected to soon participate in a three-week follow-up investigative course.
U.S. Ambassador to The Bahamas John Rood emphasized the importance of the United States and The Bahamas working together.
“The threats that we are receiving now around the world are much different than those we faced five years ago. So this type of equipment and training will ensure that police in The Bahamas have the tools to deal with this threat,” Ambassador Rood said.
The Bahamas jointed the ATA programe in 2005. Since its inception in 1983, the programme has reportedly trained and assisted over 48,000 foreign security and law enforcement officials from 141 countries.
Ambassador Rood said it is part of a worldwide effort to deal with the threat of terrorism.
“We are really proud of the partnership we have established here,” he said. “We are looking forward to working with the police in years ahead as the courses expand.”
By: Macushla N. Pinder, The Bahama Journal
