Tocumen improves its security skills

Security training at Tocumen

by Tomás García A.

On June 17 Tocumen Airport witnessed the closing ceremony and distribution of certificates for the successful completion of a seminar entitled “Basic Observation Techniques and Behavior Analysis” by members of various entities involving airport security, including the Security Department, Customs, Immigration and several airline companies.

The seminar, which had been taking place since May 16, involved the training in detection and identification of behavioral profiles common among terrorists, drug traffickers, smugglers and other international lawbreakers. This identification is done solely through the observation of individuals, in particular searching for hints of deception in their physiological and psychological responses to external stimuli such as the regular questioning done in the Immigration area. “It’s common sense, but the idea of detecting drug traffickers through such a method is a breakthrough,” said Khadhir Tuñon. “I feel a great satisfaction after understanding how to use these observation techniques in an organized and methodical way.”

The method taught throughout the seminar is “Rover Concept”, first developed by Prospero Ellis. The method{s name derives from its technique of small groups of law enforcers who rove the airport, searching for possible lawbreakers.

Ellis, a legendary law enforcer at the Miami International Airport, retired in 1996 from his job as supervisory inspector for US Customs and started a company called Rovertech International based on the instruction and diffusion of his knowledge.

His experience on the subject of drug trafficking includes the detention of more than 2,000 smugglers and drug traffickers, the confiscation of over 7,500 pounds of illicit drugs, and the first detection of internal drug trafficking in the form of compressed cocaine.

Over the years Rovertech has given security seminars to the DEA, the Florida Highway Patrol, the Barbados Customs Department, Ecuador’s National Police and the US Customs Service. “I expect that the participants of the seminars in Panama will successfully apply the techniques learned,” Ellis said.

The complete Rover training consists of three different levels. The Panamanian security officers took the first level, which is heavily based in theory, in order to introduce the personnel to the aspects of profile identification. As the level of the courses increase, so do the intensity and the quantity of practical exercises inside a controlled area using members of the seminar as participants. Later on, these practices are done in the real environment, the airport, and with real passengers. “I hope I return soon to complete the Rover training in Panama,” said Ellis, who was born in Panama and has American citizenship.

Rovertech is a relatively new company. Their seminars have been mostly set in the Caribbean and in the United States, but recently their efforts are focusing in Latin America. Panama is the third Latin American country Rovertech has visited. “In the future, I wish I could help other countries with my seminars,” Ellis asserted. “I plan to play a role in establishing more security filters throughout the United States, the Caribbean, and Latin America.”

The seminar was sponsored by Tocumen SA Panama, with the collaboration of the Narcotics Affairs Section at the US Embassy in Panama and the US Department of Homeland Security.

The final ceremony consisted of an initial discourse by Doug Dupre, Homeland Security attache at the US Embassy, a speech by the Tocumen SA’s CEO Carlos Garcia Molino and the final presentation of certificates to the last of four groups that have taken the courses throughout the four weeks.

“I am honored of being here,” Ellis said after the end of the ceremony. “I feel proud of the groups and of being useful to my country.”

business