Cop Squad Initiative: 500 ranks now equipped to handle domestic, gender-based violence
A total of 500 officers from the Guyana Police Force on Friday graduated from the Human Services and Social Security Ministry’s Cop Squad 2000 Initiative, which afforded them special training to handle domestic and gender-based violence cases.
This initiative is in collaboration with the United Nations and European Union through the Spotlight Initiative, the Home Affairs Ministry and the Guyana Police Force. Police ranks completed special training that equip them with the necessary procedures and practices to handle such reports at Police stations nationwide.
These ranks are equipped with specially marked badges that indicate their special training for these situations.
Ministers Robeson Benn and Dr Vindhya Persaud with the newly graduated ranks from the Cop Squad programme
Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud told the ranks, “This is the kind of collaboration that ensures that our country can progress to the heights it needs to in a way that every citizen across the length and breadth of Guyana feels safe…You are on a path of transformation where you are the trailblazers in an initiative that ensures that every person who requires that protective arm, that you are the custodian of peace and protection in this country.”
According to Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn, the resources and training for officers to execute their duties and curb cases of violence in the country is an all-encompassing one, which require partnerships. At the same time, officers carry the responsibility to ensure safe communities and a space where cases can be reported.
“If we cannot protect our women, we would not have the opportunity to have peace in our country. If we cannot protect our children, we will have the vicious circle and the continuous issues of not moving along the progressive path of creating a more wholesome, safe society,” he identified.
The initiative seeks to ensure that once a domestic violence matter is brought to a Police station, it will be handled in a manner that accords with international best practices. The aim was to train 2000 officers from across the length and breadth of the country to address such reports.
To put a heavier emphasis on domestic and gender-based violence, the Ministry had established a 914 hotline, which continues to receive hundreds of calls from the populace. It triggers intervention from both the Home Affairs and Human Services Ministry, as well as other stakeholders. (G12)
