Police officers undergoing ‘conflict’ training at LESC this week

Local and regional police officers are at present benefiting from a Community Mediation Training Workshop, which is being held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre (LESC) this week.

The Canadian-based project, Improved Access to Justice in the Caribbean (IMPACT Justice), is sponsoring the workshop, primarily for officers from the Royal Barbados Police Force and the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda.

Professor Velma Newton, Regional Project Director for IMPACT Justice, addressed the gathering during the opening session, held yesterday in the LESC’s Marigold Room.

“This training session falls under the Alternative Dispute Resolution component of the project and its aim is to train police officers, social workers, educators and others, who themselves train or come into frequent contact with persons in conflict situations,” she explained.

“Our belief is that if persons in these categories are trained as mediators, they can assist in solving issues that arise between parties at an early stage, so that they do not escalate and end violently, or be taken to the already overburdened law courts for a solution,” she added.

“As you would know, many matters are taken to court, where they may not be heard for many months, sometimes years and some of them could be solved if heard by a trained mediator, who assists the parties to reach a solution,” Newton asserted.

Professor Newton meanwhile, noted that hundreds across the region have been trained in mediation under the IMPACT Justice programme, including police officers from Belize, Dominica, Grenada and St. Lucia as well as St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

During this week, she said, 29 police officers from police stations throughout Barbados and specialised departments such as Family Conflict, Community Relations, the Juvenile Liaison Department, the Tourism Liaison Office and the Traffic Department, will receive training. One Probation Officer from the District “C” Magistrates’ Court, one legal assistant from the Supreme Court and one senior legal executive, will also benefit from the training.

The Antigua and Barbuda contingent presently comprises, one officer from the Special Branch Department, two from the Youth Intervention Unit and five constables and corporals from various police stations.

One of two facilitators for the project, Hilary Linton, meanwhile emphasised the benefits of having parties mediate, as she took them through the mediation process. (RSM)