MARIGOT–Twelve young St. Martiners, eleven females and one male, passed an arduous two-week training programme on Saturday to become Operational Reservist Gendarmes attached to the Gendarmerie. They were presented at a medal ceremony held at the Gendarmerie in Concordia in the presence of reservists Commandant Serge Jean from Guadeloupe.
It was the first time such a training course has been held in St. Martin for reservists, Lt. Colonel Sébastien Manzoni noted. Previously, recruits were sent to Guadeloupe for the course.
The training course began on July 7 and involved theory, written and practical tests, encompassing all of the skills required of a Gendarme in an operational environment; for example, how to use and handle a firearm, restraining or arresting an individual, crowd control, checking cars and documents during controls, and much more. Physical fitness was a big part of the practical exercises, drills and scenarios.
Some 80 persons applied for the selection tests, but only 13 qualified for the course. One later dropped out through injury. The initial tests included going through a thorough medical, physical and psychological evaluation and sight, hearing, drug and alcohol tests. Two weeks later they were tested on their knowledge of the laws and procedures pertaining to the Gendarmerie. Passing of the latter test at minimum 80 per cent qualified them to start the course.
“I wanted to become a Reservist because I’ve always been very interested in those TV series like CSI and Criminal Minds,” explained Alexandre Marie Van Putten Vanterpool from French Quarter. “It’s an opportunity for me to become a detective or a forensic scientist in the future. Also, I want to help reduce the violence and delinquency on the island.”
Vanterpool described three “hard core” days of intense physical activity in the field where teamwork was essential. “The instructors were looking for teamwork and helping the weakest of the group.”
She described the two instructors, Adjutant Jerôme Cusset and Chef Michaël Gervais, who were given tokens of appreciation by the Reservists, as “great.” “They always made sure you understood everything and would stop the class if someone didn’t understand something before continuing.”
Vanterpool said that after a year she will be integrating into the criminal investigation department for a nine-month training period with the Gendarmerie in Paris.
“Basically, we are reinforcements for the Gendarmerie, working with them and doing different tasks. We are on one-year renewable contracts. We are required to work about 90 days a year depending on our availability,” she said
The new Reservists will start their active service in the first week of August.
Préfète Déléguée Sylvie Feucher, Vice-President Yawo Nyuiadzi, and Territorial Councillor Pascale Alix-Laborde assisted in the medal presentation.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/78856-12-st-martiners-pass-training-to-become-operational-reservists
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