Andorran Police and Fire Specialists Train in Underwater Judicial Operations in Spain

Andorran police and fire service specialists have taken part in a training programme on underwater judicial police operations organised by Spain's Guardia Civil in Cadiz.

Sergent Major Sergi Medina, head of Scientific Police, and Subofficer Isaac Lax, in charge of the Fire Service's Underwater Rescue Group, attended the "Actuacions de Policia Judicial Subaquàtica" sessions over recent days. The event took place at the Training and Doctrine Unit of the Spanish force's Maritime Service in the Andalusian city.

The programme aimed to strengthen skills in underwater investigation and judicial support. Participants included specialists from the Guardia Civil's GEAS underwater activity groups, as well as experts from Germany's Federal Police and Coast Guard. Contributions also came from professionals in judicial, forensic, scientific and related fields.

Training focused on gathering samples in underwater police and judicial scenarios, including cases involving deceased persons or recovery of items critical to probes. These tasks demand careful handling to ensure evidence chain of custody, despite their technical and risky nature.

Andorra operates an integrated model where fire service divers serve as the operational eyes and hands underwater for police investigators. This joint approach makes shared attendance at such events particularly valuable for improving coordination.

The Andorran participants plan to pass on their acquired knowledge to their teams. The sessions mark their first joint training with GEAS specialists and underscore efforts to advance professional standards through high-level continuous education. They also foster closer ties and experience-sharing between local institutions and international counterparts.