30 cops to benefit from heavy duty machinery training programme

Some 30 police ranks would be participating in six weeks of theoretical training in heavy-duty machinery operation and maintenance which would have practical support at locations across the country.
This programme is aimed at building the skill set of its participants and improve the operational competencies and effectiveness of service delivery.
Officially launched on Tuesday at the Officers’ Training Centre by Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton, MP, in collaboration with the Traffic Department of the Guyana Police Force, the theme of the programme is “Enhancing Capacity to Meet Future Demands in a Rapidly Evolving Environment”.

It is a key component of the Guyana Police Force’s Strategic Pillars 2022-2026, and the training, done in partnership with the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), would equip participants with the competencies to operate heavy-duty machinery and enhance efficiency and safety in the Police Force.
Training would consist of theoretical instruction and practical exposure, with emphasis on key areas such as: Safety while handling equipment, Basic Mechanics & Maintenance, Practical Training, Regular Re-evaluation of Participants for Improvement. This is encompassed in the Force’s overall vision of enhancing technical capability, reducing dependence on external help, and promoting professional development among officers.
Some of the objectives of the programme are: Increasing efficiency in police operations, Prioritizing safety as priority number one, and developing in-house machine-handling self-reliance.
Beyond improving operational capabilities, successful completion of the training would create opportunities for future certification by BIT and other external accreditation bodies.
In his remarks at the launch, Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton highlighted Government’s commitment to building the workforce, and the necessity of preparing police officers with technical skills.
Minister Hamilton noted that, in “Region Four alone, 3,632 people were trained, including 972 males and 2,660 females, with a total expenditure of $300 million.”
He stressed the importance of gender equality in training programmes, and reaffirmed Government’s commitment to ensuring every trained individual receives official certification.
Delivering the programme’s overview, Assistant Police Commissioner, ‘Traffic Chief’ Mahendra Singh, emphasized the significance of the training in upgrading operational readiness.
“This heavy-duty machinery training programme, conceptualized by the Guyana Police Force and designed in partnership with the Board of Industrial Training, is a structured and comprehensive initiative aimed at equipping participating ranks with the essential technical skills and safety knowledge required for operating heavy-duty equipment,” he stated.
The launch concluded with the official declaration of the commencement of the programme by Inspector Richard Trotz, marking a milestone for the Guyana Police Force.