120 Police ranks complete training aimed at improving efficiency of Force

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) now has a compliment of 120 newly-trained ranks who successfully completed the Station Management and Newly-Promoted Subordinate Officers, Drill Instructors, and Special Constable Initial Training Courses 2019.

These courses were aimed at improving efficiency, encouraging best practices and improving leadership amongst subordinate officers.
The ceremony was held under the theme, “Improving Police Professionalism through Effective Training and Mentorship”, at the Officers’ Training Centre, Camp Street.
The Special Constable Initial Training Course commenced training on May 13 last with 61 participants while the other three courses commenced on June 3.
The Station Management Course saw participation of 30 ranks and the Newly-Promoted Subordinate Officers Course saw 30 persons participating, while 19 participated in the Drill Instructors Course.
The Station Management and Newly-Promoted Subordinate Officers Courses focused on community policing, crime mapping, risk management, operation order, and ethical behaviour in law enforcement, human rights and tourism policing.
The Force’s Training Officer Deputy Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken, in his address, highlighted that if the Force is to achieve its objectives, such courses are necessary and will have to be continuous.
He expressed optimism that by the end of the year, these courses can be added to all divisions and branches while noting his optimism that the force can see more positive relations stemming from this type of training from members of the public and GPF.
It is expected that when the newly-trained ranks return to their individual responsibilities, they will reflect a new behavioural pattern in terms of Police interaction with members of the public, which is the objective of having such training courses, Hicken said.
Deputy Commissioner Hicken further highlighted that as the environment demands a change of attitude, these courses are identified to develop the capacity of the GPF.
He noted that although the courses were challenging, he was proud that all participants endured and completed them successfully.
Meanwhile, Sergeant Davanand Roberts, who reported on the courses detail, encouraged the ranks to be proactive, maintain discipline, and also to also exercise humility, be courageous at all times and be reminded constantly of their Oath of Office and be so guided.
The Drill Instructors Course, he said, was aimed at teaching the development of the basic skills in foot, arms, cane and pace and stick drills. The course was a challenging one and served to test the physical, mental and emotional strength of the participants.
Sergeant Roberts noted too that during the Special Constables Course, ranks were exposed to the basic and essential principles of policing, practices and procedures, foot and arms drills, physical exercise, self-defence tactics and firearm training. They were also lectured on various topics including crime, traffic, domestic violence, human rights, first aid, anger management and English language. At the end of these courses, the ranks were tested and graded on their performances.
They were also exposed to community outreaches where they ventured into various communities in Divisions A, B and C and had interaction with members of the public— all forming part of building trust and partnership.