KOTA KINABALU: Local rangers and other officials have received a step-up via a programme to boost the enforcement and prosecution of wildlife crimes.
The programme entitled Boosting Enforcement and Forensic Capacity to Deter Wildlife Trafficking in Sabah had been running since 2019 and is funded through the US Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.
The “Crime Scene and Advanced Investigation Techniques” modules were supposed to be conducted consecutively throughout 2020 but were delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Programme trainer Justin Gosling, a law enforcement and criminal justice specialist whose experience spans three decades, said the modules had been spread over three years.
The topics include operational planning, surveillance, crime scene investigation and evidence management, he said.
“This course is essential to tackle serious organised wildlife crime and provide a comprehensive range of tactics that the enforcement officers can use,” he said.
Gosling said the enthusiasm and commitment that participants demonstrated throughout the programme showed they were prepared and willing to take on the scourge of wildlife crimes.
He said it is important for all involved to work together and continue learning and practising methods which would help secure arrests, prosecutions and convictions.
“This series of training has enabled this,” he said.
Gosling said the continued support from the agencies and participants throughout the four modules provided a unique opportunity to strengthen the collaboration between agencies and a forum to exchange experiences where junior officers learnt from the most experienced ones.
A total of 45 participants were trained through the whole programme and provided with a manual in English and Malay, covering all the topics.
Among the participating agencies were the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD), Sabah Forestry Department, Sabah Parks, Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan), Sarawak Forestry Corporation, Customs, various police units, WWF Sabah and Danau Girang Field Centre (DGFC).
DGFC programme manager Dr Milena Salgado Lynn pointed out that unlike the police, SWD and other state agencies had no academy or college which provide training to their personnel.
The programme will end next year.