An EOD Inspectorate officer and JPO get to work on Mount Butler with a bomb disposal robot

Junior Police Officers and Inspectors are working together in Explosive Ordnance Disposal Cadre teams for the first time under measures to bolster manpower in the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Cadre.

Teams of two EOD Cadre IPs have traditionally been deployed to dispose of bombs, however, June 29 saw JPOs make their debut as Cadre Number Two officers.

In EOD, the Number One officers dispose of bombs while the Number Two officers drive robots, load weapons and prepare the explosives.

Senior Bomb Disposal Officer Dominic Brittain said: "This is a major step forward for JPOs in the Cadre.

"They have been in developmental training for two years and are now ready to work together with the IPs who have traditionally taken up EOD work.

"The move will also reduce demand on IP manpower. By 2003, we intend to comprise each EOD Cadre team of an IP and a JPO."

Cadre Bomb Disposal Officer, Senior Inspector Adam Roberts commended the move.

"I have always worked well with JPOs in the Cadre and they have a great attitude.

"There are very clear lines of communication - the Number One is in charge with Number Two there to provide technical assistance, and they work well with this.

"I think the move provides a great opportunity for the JPOs to move to the next stage in their Cadre work."

Police Constable Leung Shui-kin added: "We find EOD Cadre duties extremely challenging as it is unusual for JPOs to do this kind of job.

"However, this gives me a wonderful opportunity to move forward and I enjoy working alongside my IP colleagues."

A recruitment drive for more Inspectorate Cadre BDOs is underway, with the next EOD basic training courses set for September and October.

Applicants have until July 20 to submit their forms, which are available on PEN or by calling the EOD Bureau General Registry on 2860-2506, along with an information sheet on the Cadre.

A basic training course to recruit a new batch of JPOs to the EOD Cadre will be held early next year.



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