Three police were paid to work in Caribbean for one month (From Warrington Guardian)

Three police were paid to work in Caribbean for one month

9:00am Thursday 10th January 2013 in News

THREE Cheshire Police officers went on an all expenses paid trip to the Caribbean for a month to help with a murder investigation.

An investigation by the Warrington Guardian has revealed that one detective sergeant and two detective constables spent four weeks in the Cayman Islands - costing £29,448.86.

The trip in 2011 was paid for by the Cayman Authorities.

They were called in by the Foreign Office to assist the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service with a major operation surrounding a spate of murders on Grand Cayman.

A spokesman for Cheshire Police said: “UK policing is often called upon to provide assistance and advice to other forces who seek to draw on the expertise of the service.

“All forces in the UK have arrangements in place to call for mutual aid with the British overseas territories as part of their wider international policing responsibilities.

“All requests for aid are approved by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and by the British Government to ensure that it fits the criteria and that good use is made of tax payers’ money.”

David Baines, Commissioner of the Cayman Islands, said "When we are in need of specialist expertise or assistance we often call upon the 'mother land' to provide that service."

The Association of Chief Police Officers considers investigations domestic forces are asked to help with.

A spokesman said: “Following a spate of serious incidents in the Cayman Islands a request was made to the ACPO to provide support to the Cayman Islands Police Commissioner.

“Officers were drawn from Merseyside, Cumbria, Lancashire, Cheshire and Greater Manchester Police.”

John Dwyer, Police and Crime Commisioner, backed the use of Cheshire Police in international matters.

He said, "I am delighted that our officers are so highly regarded that their expertise is called upon to assist in international policing matters."

The Freedom of Information request also revealed where tax payer’s money was spent on Cheshire Police work undertaken abroad.

In 2012, £937.40 was spent on witness interviews in Denmark in relation to the Shafilea Ahmed murder investigation.

And in 2010 video conference facilities for a crown court trial were set up in Bulgaria that cost £1572.93.

The same year £6,000 was spent on specialist forensics training for staff in Canada.

What do you think of police going to work on cases abroad? Have your say at warringtonguardian.co.uk.