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(CNS): Retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Mark Lowther, who has 31 years of police and public safety experience, attended a crisis intervention and de-escalation course hosted by the RCIPS last month. Lowther, a professional crisis and hostage negotiator, was invited to lead a training course for local police officers and others who work with vulnerable and at-risk populations to learn how to best defuse difficult situations.
Staff from Royal Caribbean International, Customs and Border Control, HM Prison Service, Cayman Airways, Cayman Islands Regiment, Cayman Islands Hazard Management and the Health Services Authority attended a series of day-long meetings, including one on Cayman Brac.
The training focuses on identifying, understanding and verbally de-escalating crises, as well as suicide intervention, autism awareness and legal powers under the Mental Health Act. Community psychiatric nurse Dympna Carten also gave her views on the Mental Health Tribunal.
“De-escalation is an important tool for anyone who comes into contact with someone in crisis,” said Sergeant Jonathan Kern of the RCIPS Training and Development Division, who helps run the course.
“We want to equip our officers and the community with more skills to be able to defuse situations. While de-escalation is an important part of all RCIPS officer training, these specialized courses help to further solidify that training and give our officers a deeper understanding of the various situations they may encounter,” added Kern.
During the training, Lowther talked about the extent to which individual circumstances affect how people respond to situations. “Everyone has a story to tell. When you get the chance, let them tell it,” he said.
The RCIPS Training and Development Department provides various forms of training to RCIPS staff on an ongoing basis and frequently extends training to staff from partner agencies so that all who work together to keep the Cayman Islands safe have access to the best tools.
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