KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JACDO) says that four chaperones are being trained to become Doping Control Officers (DCO) in a drive to upgrade the professional performance of the agency.

According to JADCO the first stage of the process was completed between June 25 and 27 with theoretical and in-field sessions conducted in collaboration with the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) at the JADCO office and the National Stadium. 

“The trainees were exposed to in-depth training, focusing on the role of DCOs, the athlete notification process, urine sample collection process, partial sample collection process and several examples of the testing process were demonstrated,” JADCO said in statement Thursday, July 3 adding that subsequently, they will undergo field training and evaluation prior to becoming fully qualified Doping Control Officers. 

“These trainees have demonstrated the qualities that JADCO needs in its Doping Control Officers. Their professionalism, patience and attention to detail are key components in becoming successful DCOs. Additionally, their ability to communicate effectively with athletes undergoing the doping control process will be critical, as this can be quite stressful for some athletes, particularly those who may be going through the testing process for the first time,” Executive Director of JADCO, Carey Brown, said.

Brown also noted that JADCO, through its partnership with CCES and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), is receiving guidance and technical assistance to enable the Agency to implement all the new requirements under the 2015 World Anti-Doping Code and the mandatory International Standards, which will come into effect on January 1, 2015. 

The CCES is an independent, national, not-for profit organisation with a responsibility to administer the Canadian Anti-Doping Programme, JADCO explained.

JADCO did not say how many DCOs are currently on its roster.