Charleston Police Department trained with Blackwater USA

 

October 18, 2007 – According to investigative reporter Wayne Madsen, Blackwater USA has provided training to at least fifty-three police departments from across the United States.  The City of Charleston (SC) Police Department was listed in Madsen’s report.

 

Blackwater USA, a private, for profit, paramilitary corporation has been in the headlines recently for killing 17 Iraqi civilians. 

 

Madsen points to “Blackwater’s dismal record on human rights and brutality” and suggests that Blackwater training “spells trouble for civilian control of police and paramilitary forces in the United States.” 

 

The Muckraker Report contacted the Charleston Police Department and spoke with Public Information Officer, Charles Francis.  Francis confirmed that CPD personnel have received training from Blackwater USA at its headquarters in Moyock, NC. 

 

According to Francis, Corporal Craig Farr and Private Joel Edwards of the Charleston Police Department attended a training session on July 19-20, 2007.  The course they took was the Bushmaster Carbine Armorer Course. 

 

According to Blackwater USA, this course is designed for the professional who wants the designation of Carbine Armorer.  The cost of the course is $450.00 for each training day.  Cpl Farr and Pvt. Edwards received certification in properly maintaining weapons used by the Charleston Police Department. 

 

Francis told the Muckraker Report that the Charleston Police Department does not have a contract with Blackwater USA and has received no other training from this corporation.