Two members of the U.K.’s Queen’s Guard arrived in Costa Rica last week to help train 30 National Police officers and members of Costa Rica’s Honor Guard.
In addition to belonging to the Royal Air Force, the two officers also served in official capacity at the Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, London Tower and guarding the late Princess of Wales.
Members of Costa Rica’s honor guard, who are assigned to offer protection during official state events, will receive advanced instruction in state funerals, official events, presidential visits, special escorts, and honor guards.
The honor guard members also will receive training from five instructors at the National Police School.
During an activity held by the Public Security Ministry in San José on Wednesday, members of the honor guard showed off some of what they have learned in the trainings. Present at the activity were Sharon Campbell, British ambassador in Costa Rica, Celso Gamboa, Costa Rica’s public security minister, and Juan José Andrade, general director of Costa Rica’s National Police.
“I am proud to be here presenting these two members of the Queen’s Royal Guard. It is a source of great pride for the United Kingdom to be able to help Costa Rica’s National Police Honor Guard,” Campbell said.
Gamboa also recognized the importance of receiving support from other countries in order to strengthen and train local police forces. “Today we recognize and thank the support that Great Britain has given us through the Queen’s Royal Guard. We know that this training in protocols makes this group of Costa Rican officials even stronger,” he said.
