The Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) Criminal Investigations Department (CID), which is spread throughout the various Regional Police Divisions, is expected to be strengthened soon, as over 50 ranks completed the department’s Induction course on Monday.
To commemorate the occasion, a small graduation ceremony was held at the Officers’ Training Centre, Camp Road, where the participants were presented with certificates and special awards.
Best graduating student, Constable Abigail Abel
The course started on June 10, 2024, and lasted for seven weeks, during which the participants were exposed to core topics critical to conducting criminal investigations.
It consisted mainly of police ranks as well as personnel from the GPF, Guyana Fire Service (GFS), Guyana Prison Service (GPS) and The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC)
Female Constable Abigail Abel was adjudged the best graduating student, while Constables Jered Harris and Anil Narine took second and third place, respectively. They were all rewarded with trophies for their extra effort and outstanding performances during the course.
The ranks who participated in the course were drawn from the various Divisions and Departments. They are expected to return to their respective stations, where they will be able to dispense the knowledge gained in the various areas to solve crimes and prevent and detect them.
Deputy Commissioner ‘Law Enforcement’ (ag), Wendell Blanhum during his address, welcomed the new detectives to the world of criminal investigations and reminded them that detective work is not for the faint-hearted and that under his command, meritocracy will be the key to their advancement in the department.
Further detailing what it takes to be an efficient detective, Blanhum stated, “CID work — it requires a combination of skills, including sharp intellect, keen observation, and excellent problem-solving skills.”
The new CID ranks
He urged the participants to apply the skills they would have gained from the course to their everyday work and to always go the extra mile in the fight against crime.
“Criminal endeavours threaten the rule of law; hence, to be effective in the fight against crime, you must go the extra mile,” Blanhum added.
Also present at the ceremony were Director of the GPF Academy, Superintendent Sonia Herbert; Head of the Major Crimes Unit, Superintendent Mitchell Ceasar; Head of the Criminal Records Office, Assistant Superintendent Fiona Fredericks; Head of the Cybercrimes Unit, Assistant Superintendent Jhared Koulen; Head of Crime Lab, Assistant Superintendent Ray Mercurius and Inspector Junior Blair, among other senior and junior officers.
