Detectives drawn from the Directorate of Criminal Investigation's Emergency Response Team (ERT) in liaison with the US Embassy's Office of Anti-Terrorism Assistance conducted training on Friday, April 21, to deal with terror groups.
Through the US Embassy's Office of Anti-Terrorim's Assistance under the Diplomatic Security Services, TripleTap Academy, Kibo, and BMW Mistorrad, the detectives gained skills in immediate response to emergent and high-risk incidents.
The training conducted at the Kedong Training Camp in Naivasha, Nakuru County, allowed detectives to get specialised skills and tactics.
It included obstacle-crossing skills, speedy maneuvers with an armed pillion passenger, and target shooting while in motion among other skills.
According to the Anti-Terrorism Assistance Regional Programs Manager Mike Solis, the Emergency Response Team was equipped to better manage incidents and respond to the ever-dynamic security situations, especially in response to terror threats.
On his part, Triple Tap Academy Instructor Sammy Onyango emphasised that the participants acquired world-class training that exposed them to different scenarios that would come in handy while responding to priority operations.
"We will continue offering such training to ensure the ERT operates professionally, efficiently, safely, and effectively in guaranteeing public safety and security," Onyango added.
Notably, the Emergency Response Team is a highly skilled tactical unit in counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, and close-quarter combat operations, that has received training locally and internationally.
One of the major roles of the ATPU is to mitigate and investigate related cases in the country.
ATPU was formed in the year 2003 after several terror attacks were experienced in the country an example the attacks at th US Embassy (1998) and the Kikambala (2002).
Other roles include preventing, disrupting, and interdicting terrorist activities, investigating all terrorism-related cases, and sensitising the public on terrorism awareness among others.
Furthermore, the ATPU creates profiles for suspected terrorists and keep an updated databank, shares intelligence with other stakeholders, reviews and monitors the security of vital installations and soft target as well as leads other agencies at all scenes of terrorist-related incidents.
