As part of this new thrust, the Department recently organized and hosted a training session that placed the focus on self defense. In this module, participants were instructed in the appropriate techniques to be used to subdue armed would be assailants and aggressors without the need for weapons.

The trainees were also required to engage in practical exercises to test their practical application of the techniques taught in the course.

Comptroller of Customs, Mr. Rodney Harris encouraged the participants to use the training for capacity building and to make their tasks more effective while enforcing border security.

The course was facilitated by Prison Officer Rae Browne who was praised by the trainees for his outstanding abilities.

According to the Assistant Comptroller for Training Mr. Theodore Brown, other groups of officers from the Customs are to be trained later this year, as the department seeks to have as many of its officers trained to protect themselves while discharging their duties. Browne outlined that the course was in its entirety, fashioned from the Module of Control and Restraint (CNR) of Correction Facilities.

A total of eight Officers successfully completed training which concluded on Tuesday (March 29, 2011).