GPF implements video recorded interrogation system

As the Justice Education Society (JES) continues to aid in increasing the capacity of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the Canadian organisation has now moved to assist with the implementation of a video recorded interrogation system by providing training and devices needed for such operations.
This mission to improve the efficiency of the crime-fighting approach throughout the country has resulted in training programmes being conducted by officials attached to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), which saw about 40 ranks of the GPF cashing in on capacity building in the area of interviewing.
Following the successful completion of two such initiatives earlier this year, the JES on Thursday handed over three sets of recording equipment to be used in this newly established operations.
Speaking at the simple handing over ceremony was JES country representative, Rolanda Kirton. In presenting the equipment, Kirton highlighted what prompted the move towards this direction.

She noted that the idea was birthed during the visit by two Canadian officials who are criminal investigative interviewers. During their stint in Guyana, they recommended that the GPF should work towards implementing the video recorded interviewing system so as to eliminate claims of coercion or inducement.
“In a sense, Guyana is playing catch up but everyone around the world would’ve started at some level and then developed going forward.”
Adding to that, the JES country representative indicated that there have been positive responses to the training with evidence of fruitful outcomes thus far, given that ranks have already been able to record successes with the use of the techniques learnt.
Meanwhile, welcoming the initiative was acting Crime Chief Paul Williams, who expressed gratitude to JES for sourcing the recording devices and more so, their continued commitment to the GPF.
In doing so, he highlighted that this new-found approach adds credibility to the Force’s investigation capacity.
“Before, you can recall that many of times when there are confession statements, persons continue to make allegations against the Police in terms of where they were beaten, coerced, given promises and all these things, the acting Crime Chief said.
“So training sessions were conducted and they have seen, in terms of the ranks, how capable they are and definitely how it can work,” he relayed.
The video recording apparatus handed over to the Force on Thursday are the property of RCMP, loaned to the JES for use in their works with the Guyana Police Force. However, it is the hope of both parties that the equipment will remain in Guyana, also paving the way for other such devices to be acquired.
The devices are expected to be stationed in B Division (Berbice), C Division (East Coast Demerara) and at the Headquarters of Criminal Investigation Department in Georgetown. However, in some other divisions, officers have put to use simple camcorders as the GPF seeks to adopt the video recorded investigation approach countrywide.