12 CPA police cadets undergo training

Twelve Commonwealth Ports Authority police cadets completed yesterday their 3rd and final day of field training on the emergency vehicle operators’ course next to the Saipan airport.

Police Sgt. Anthony Macaranas made the cadets apply on the track what was taught them in the classroom about driving an emergency vehicle safely.

Macaranas, a certified EVOC instructor in California, told Saipan Tribune that the cadets learned in the classroom the legal nuances of car pursuit.

He said the cadets were also taught the Department of Public Safety’s rules and regulations regarding car pursuit and how to drive the vehicles safely.

Macaranas said this course gave cadets tips on what they should do if they are in pursuit of a suspect while patrolling the streets.

“They are out here on track so that they would have a first hand [experience] of how it feels like to drive a police vehicle while doing an emergency patrol, emergency response and pursuit,” he said.

At the track, the cadets went through different kinds of maneuvering exercises.

Macaranas said he trained the cadets how to maneuver the vehicle as well as the things to watch out for while on the street like bicyclists, motorcycles, and motorists.

“It is a 40-hour course. It is a must for every emergency vehicle responder,” Macaranas said.

He said the cadets must be EVOC-certified because of the potential liability against the government.

When a crash happens to an emergency vehicle, he said, liability will come, especially when there is loss of property or injuries involving citizens.

“And, of course, the department itself will be losing because of the vehicle damage and the lives of the officer. But, again, the highest thing that we’re looking at is safety of others as well as the officers,” he stressed.

Macaranas said the cadets were pretty much up to the standards that he is teaching.

“Of course, there’s little things that we need to address. Right now, they don’t have vehicles, but as soon as their vehicle is online, they will start patrolling the streets,” he said.

The CPA police cadets are expected to graduate next month.

Macaranas has been at the airport for almost three weeks now doing the EVOC training. He first trained the fire cadets, followed by police cadets.