Earlier last month (December 2019) the RCIPS hosted a two week seminar: the Online Child Sexual Assault and Exploitation (CSAE) Conference and Masters-Class. The seminar featured trainers from the National Crime Agency (NCA) as well as the National Cyber Forensics and Training Alliance (NCFTA). 

Attending the conference was a group of thirty (30) officers and analysts from police forces and services from British Overseas Territories: Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Montserrat, Turks and Cacaos Islands, Falkland Islands. A police officer from Namibia, Africa also attended as a guest of the NCA. 

Cayman Islands Government Law Enforcement Officers who attended were drawn from the newly formed Cyber Forensics Hub, the MASH Unit, Customs and Border Control, Statistics Analysis and the Media and Communications Unit. 

The training was focused on the Internet as an investigation tool ranging from: online research and analysis, investigating child abuse material on the internet, digital forensics and recovery, presenting digital evidence in court and more. 

Commissioner of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service Mr. Derek Byrne said “It is important that the RCIPS develops along with the advancements of the world. Not only do we need the advanced technology to better assist us in solving crime, but we need our officers to also have access to the best training and information to go along with the technological advancements. It was our pleasure to host the delegates from the other BOT jurisdictions that attended the training and a great way for our officers to network and share experiences and ideas that will assist each other.” 

The trainers included Ms. Stephanie Walker and Mr. Sean Williams from the NCFTA who focused on Online Research. Ms. Anna Williams who presented on Victim Identification; Mr. Russ Hinton, who gave a more in depth presentation on Digital Forensics when dealing with Child Abuse and Exploitation; and Ms. Hilary Ryan who spoke on evidencing and the roles of investigators and prosecutors in an investigation that requires Digital Forensics Evidence. 

Detective Chief Superintendent Simon Mason, who leads on such work for the National Crime Agency’s Child Exploitation and Online Protection, said “The importance of developing online investigation skills amongst detectives is essential to effectively respond to cyber enabled crime. I am really proud that we have been able to collaborate between the NCA, NCFTA, RCIPS and law enforcement across the British Overseas Territories to build such capabilities. The conference and training provided delegates with a range of world class investigative techniques to tackle cybercrime. In particular the conference majored on investigation techniques that help detectives and investigators respond proactively and reactively to child sexual exploitation and abuse, and target perpetrators worldwide to safe guard children.”

The COP Mr. Derek Byrne stated “I am happy to have such a functional working relationship with the NCA and their partners the NCFTA. I look forward to having a continued and close working relationship with both entities in the future. It was our pleasure hosting the group and having our officers train under their guidance for the two weeks that they did.”