(Jamaica Observer) Government on Sunday opened tenders for the construction of a modern firearms tactical training unit at the Jamaica Police Academy in Twickenham Park, St Catherine.

The decision was immediately welcomed by Assistant Commissioner Paul Robinson, head of the constabulary’s Firearms and Use Of Force Task Group, who told the Observer that the facility at the academy and the competence of the officers who were trained there have been lacking.

“This is good news. We have now recruited and trained a number of firearm instructors that we never had before and this year our intention is to retrain the entire force and re-certify them,” Robinson told the Observer.

“Despite the fact that we have produced a policy in 2003 to say that it will train our officers every year, there is very little progress in actually achieving that,” Robinson said.

The new training facility is being built through a joint effort between the British and Jamaican governments.

The new facility will be equipped with a firearms training simulation machine – a computer which will simulate real-life situations and train cops to use the weapons issued to them more efficiently.

There will also be new firing ranges and a tactical training village, Robinson said.
“We intend to train about 10,000 people every year. We will enforce human rights issues and the use of force policy,” the assistant commissioner added.

The latest release by the Bureau of Special Investigations showed that 178 people have been fatally shot by the police between January 1 and September 30 this year.

Members of the public often complain that the police sometimes fire their weapons excessively, but Robinson said the modern training methods to be employed would help to address that concern.

“We aim to make it safer for the officers when they go on the street and if they are engaged to use the firearms they will be trying their best to ensure minimum injuries to members of the public and to ensure that they only fire as many shots as necessary to reduce the threat,” Robinson said.

The Firearm Tactical Training Unit is expected to have floor space of about 1,052 square metres.

On Monday, project manager at the security ministry, Whilston Taylor, declined to say how much the building was expected to cost taxpayers.

“I can’t give you that sort of information,” Taylor told the Observer.