Bermuda’s soldiers won praise for their skills after giving training in safely handling riot situations to officers from seven Caribbean countries last month in Barbados.

They teamed with staff from the Regional Security System, a partnership aimed at building a collective response to security threats and stability among member states.

The Royal Bermuda Regiment contingent, led by Warrant Officer Class Two Shaun Williams, took part in a two-week exercise for security forces, including police and prison officers.

They trained on tactics for safely maintaining public order as well as setting a standard across the RSS network.

Lieutenant-Commander Brian Roberts, director of training for the RSS, said the group was pleased with the Regiment’s training.

“The professionalism and expertise of the RBR team was profound and was instrumental in the successful attainment of the training objectives.

“I commend the team for a job well done and we look forward to future engagements and strengthening of our partnership.”

He added: “The training allowed RSS member states to refresh their public order skills and update the RSS public order doctrine.

“It also upgraded RSS trainers’ capabilities to build capacity in the security forces in their respective countries.”

Two women and 22 men took part, hailing from the RSS member states of Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

The RBR’s Sergeant Major Williams, who returned to Bermuda last weekend, said: “We gave them a realistic way of training for public order, which is riot training.

“It’s a different concept from what they’re used to. They’re used to using a 6ft shield and we use a 4ft shield.

“Also, the tactics are different — we taught them about being able to manoeuvre more, as opposed to being pretty much static.”

He added: “We tried to help them understand that within public order the situation changes, you have to be prepared for that change and you have to make decisions accordingly.

“We wanted them to understand the duty of care — not only to ourselves as the security forces — but to civilians as well.”

Lessons included advancing on crowds, correct use of batons, human rights issues and rules of engagement.

Mr Williams, who was joined in Barbados by the RBR’s Colour Sergeant Timothy Furr, Colour Sergeant Sergio White and Sergeant Damir Armstrong, said the team set up scenarios that were safe but as realistic as possible, to better prepare officers.

He added: “We had petrol bombs as part of the training. We took the participants through the drills of what’s to happen if a petrol bomb is thrown at their feet or their shield, and also what happens if they are on fire.

“With making it realistic, they develop more confidence in their kit and equipment — they actually see that the coveralls they wear would help to mitigate a fire.

“They learnt a lot from it, they were able to take a lot back home and, at some point, they should be able to teach their own units.”