Jan 08 – New GDP Recruits Start Training
Ten new recruits for the Gibraltar Defence Police started their training this week at the Buffadero Training Centre. The initial phase of their training is two weeks of Firearms Training which will qualify them on two weapon systems.
Gibraltar Defence Police Officer Acting Police Sergeant John Yeo is leading on the Firearms Training. He explained that, following this training, they will attend the Royal Gibraltar Police Training School for a further 20 weeks training before completing a final 6 weeks of training on Tactics and Firearms Law.
The recruits reflect a diversity of age and backgrounds including 22 year old Johann Guy who was working for the Defence Guard Service for 18 months before joining the Gibraltar Defence Police.
Johann said:
“I used to work for the Guard Service at the MOD and had always aspired to become a police officer because my grandfather was in the Police and my brother is a PC at the Gibraltar Defence Police. He suggested I should join, as although I enjoyed working for the Guard Service, I was looking for something a bit more hands on that would be a challenge.”
It is the first time that Johann has worked with firearms and he is gaining a deeper understanding of weapons whilst training: “It’s not like in the films, it’s more complicated to shoot a gun than I first imagined, there are aspects to it such as breathing, grip and getting the sight in line, it’s a big responsibility and it’s all about good training.”
Another new recruit is 46 year old John Green who has had some experience of weapon training during his 3 years in the Royal Gibraltar Regiment TA, he was looking for a complete career change when he decided to join the Gibraltar Defence Police.
John said: “I think joining the Gibraltar Defence Police is a very challenging new career move, I enjoy serving the community, I provided photography and video services to the community previously and have always enjoyed working with a variety of people, I know many of the officers in the Gibraltar Defence Police both through school and professionally and they are a good bunch to work with, I’m really enjoying the training at the moment, it’s very professional.”
