The police officers will be joining the elite Witness Protection Unit (WPU) over the next few months, while the C&E officers will return to their department to establish their own witness protection cadre with the assistance of the WPU training team.

Chief inspector Dave Jordan, officer-in-charge of WPU, praised the efforts of all involved in the basic training course, in particular the police officers' determination and skills. The officers were picked from over 50 applicants to join WPU, following a prolonged selection process.

"It was also a pleasure to have our colleagues from C&E join us on this course; their tactical and physical standards are extremely high and their motivation and determination to set up and run a professional witness protection cadre cannot be questioned," he noted.

Both C&E and the Force hope that there would be more opportunities for cross-training and closer relationship in the highly specialised field of witness protection.

WPU hopes to expand its Cadre this year to assist in Regional witness protection operations. For this purpose, a one-day selection will be held on April 12. Those interested may call 2974-0172 for more information.