As the Guyana Police Force embarks on a mission to reform the public security systems throughout the country, over 100 personnel attached to various levels of the Force have completed training programmes aimed at developing their individual capacity to serve as law enforcement officers and aids to the justice system.
Acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine is joined by senior officials of the Guyana Police Force and the officers completing the training programmes
This was as the GPF brought the curtains down on four courses which were embarked on over a month ago.
This batch of training programmes comprised: an Elementary Prosecutors’ Course, the first of its kind; the Continuous Development Programme, being thus far undertaken for the fifth time for the year; the third Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Induction Course, as well as the third Special Constable Initial Training course for 2017.
These ventures, which had kicked off on October 16 and 19 respectively, have seen 106 officers building on their knowledge and skillsets in the areas of standing orders, narcotics, trafficking in persons, firearm training, cybercrime, and sexual offences. The courses also focused on customer service, conflict resolution, and stress and anger management, among other fields.
Cashing in on the capacity building initiatives were workers emanating from public offices such as the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Defence Force, Guyana Revenue Authority, Ministry of Social Protection, Department of Labour, the Analyst Food and Drug Department, City Constabulary, and the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU).
At the end of the five weeks’ training stint, 101 of the officials had managed to make it to the finish line, and were on Thursday officially initiated as law enforcement officers or aids to the country’s justice and security system.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, hosted at the Police Officers’ Training Centre, was acting Training Officer Maxime Graham, who is also an Assistant Commissioner of Police. In her address, she underlined the objectives of the training programmes.
“The training courses were conducted to contribute to the reform process of the Guyana Police Force, by equipping ranks with the requisite skillsets and also to establish professional relationships and collaboration with other Government agencies,” she explained.
In congratulating those making it through to the end, the head of training for the GPF urged the officers to “utilize this training to enhance your professional skillsets and (contribute) to efficiency and productiveness in your respective areas.”
Expressing similar sentiments was Assistant Superintendent Halley, who presented an overview of each of the four courses. She highlighted, “These courses were a task for you all; a task for you to show that the lecturers’ efforts must not go futile. I implore you all to be resolute in your approach to your work. Practise what you have learnt, so that you execute your duties diligently.”
Delivering the feature address was Acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine, who stressed the need for quality service and professionalism within the Guyana Police Force.
Ramnarine also pointed out, “If we contend with being the mere minimum, we will always be where we are; and we really can give more.”
He called on the more than 100 officers completing the programmes to go above and beyond their respective calls of duty. “I only hope that you display, on the job at your various offices, quite a lot of what you have learnt at the programmes, and help those who are younger than you are. You have had the benefit of an improved programme of learning; make the best of it,” Ramnarine urged the officers.
However, in light of the several instances in which Police officers have been implicated in various criminal offences, some at the highest levels, the Acting Top Cop emphasized the need for ranks to put into practice what they were taught, and maintain the oath they had taken to protect and serve.
“Today, the expectations of law enforcement are increasing, they are multiplying. Be careful of what you do, and how you do it and where you do it; you’re always under the microscope,” the Commissioner cautioned.
Of the 101 officials completing the four training programmes offered through the Guyana Police Force, some of the individuals will now go on to take up the role of law enforcement officers, while a great majority are expected to return to their posts within the public institutions, now tasked with the responsibility of aiding in the fight against crime.
