The Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Friday hosted a series of exercises to assess its level of preparation to respond to emergency cases, specifically those relating to acts of terrorism. The exercises were in the form of a series of simulations executed across three Police Divisions throughout the country.
The day’s event, titled Operation Assurance II, included a series of fictional
Officers of the Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) team during the simulation exercise
terrorist attacks all to assess the capacity and preparedness of the various departments of the Guyana Police Force in dealing with such emergency situations. The directive to conduct these exercises came from the National Security Committee, to which a comprehensive report will be submitted.
Scenarios
The scenarios testing practical skills commenced in the morning with ‘radical elements invading’ a gathering of stakeholders addressing preventative measures to threats of terrorism and devising strategies to stifle their repercussions by advocating against recruitment. The ‘radicals’ were informed of this meeting and ‘planted a bomb’ at the location on the East Coast of Demerara (C Division), posing a threat to the lives of the many dignitaries present at the deliberation. The Police were notified, after which they deployed their tactical teams to conduct a controlled evacuation followed by a search for, and neutralisation of, the explosive device.
Despite the success of the GPF in that instance, the ‘radicals’ managed to ‘kidnap an organiser of the anti-terrorist forum, taking the hostage to a hideout on the West Coast of Demerara (D Division)’. While the ‘radicals’ awaited further instructions from their overseas leaders, Police were tipped off to their location, whereas the Divisional Commander intervened using intel to verify the reports. Shortly after, authorities were notified and tactical teams were put in place to deal with this new development. The team included the Anti-kidnapping Unit, which consisted of investigators and negotiators who managed to rescue the hostage, but the culprits remained on the loose.
Continuing the imaginary scenario, the Criminal Investigation Department of the GPF took over the matter; which is when the Commander ordered the setting-up of several road blocks along the way. It was at one of the road blocks that the
SWAT officers during one of their chain of activities
perpetrators were confronted, resulting in a chase, to Timehri. There, the ‘radicals’ sought refuge in a house, holding hostage the lone occupant of the residence. A prompt to the Police saw the intervention of the Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) team where they successfully rescued the hostage and detained the criminals following the release of several live rounds. The crime scene investigators then took control of the residence, after which the suspects were handed over to the detectives and other authorities employed.
Upon completion of the chain of activities, initial reports proved that the departments within the GPF were equipped and ready to take on extreme criminal acts if such cases were to arise. However, a more in-depth evaluation and recommendation would be produced in the form of a report to be presented to the National Security Committee.
Training/preparation
Observing the activities were Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan and a number of GPF officials. The Minister expressed delight in the execution of such an event and pointed out that “it is all part and parcel of the training to ensure that our SWAT team and the other collaborative efforts of other units tuned in and they get the practice of it as it were, so that if this thing happens in real term, they will be better appreciative of what the challenges are”.
Moreover, the Minister emphasised that the day’s activity was merely an exercise to prepare the Police Force for emergency situations and should not be mistaken as an actual terrorist incident.
Also present at the event was Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud, who noted that “It (the simulation) really tests our standard operational procedures and that helps us to strengthen from time to time.”
Furthermore, Seelall pointed out that such large-scale exercises were important, and one of such magnitude as Friday’s is only possible with much work.
“Operation Assurance II” is the second such initiative to be undertaken by the Police Force, with other similar training exercises being conducted from time to time. Although the scenarios were improvised and not actual criminal attacks, the simulation posed a challenge to the officers attached to the various agencies, giving them a realistic experience of dealing with cases of utmost emergency. As such, officers benefited from the day’s event and are now much more prepared to undertake and conquer extreme criminal acts, especially those of radical nature.
