GPF kicks off 187th Anniversary celebrations with Drumhead Church service

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) officially commenced activities on Wednesday to mark its 187th anniversary with its traditional Drumhead Church Service. The service was held at the Police Officers’ Mess Annexe, Police Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown.
In attendance was Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, performing the functions of Minister of Home Affairs, who extended congratulations to Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken and the Executive Leadership Team of the GPF.

Dr Singh, on behalf of President Irfaan Ali, lauded the GPF for achieving this significant milestone as he participated in the traditional Drumhead Church Service, which involves the piling of drums and laying of the Golden Arrowhead along with the GPF Flag at the Tactical Services Unit Drill Square.
With the GPF established on July 1, 1839, and at that time referred to as the British Guiana Police Force in the pre-independence era, this church service is held yearly to commemorate the Force’s anniversary and serves as the prelude to a number of other activities throughout the month of July by the GPF to commemorate the occasion.

The activity included military drums being stacked to become an altar, which is a symbol of unity, reverence, and remembrance among uniformed services.
Minister Singh posited that the Government would continue to honour and acknowledge the service of generations of Policemen and women who have served the Force with distinction and, through the Force, have served the Guyanese people.
The month-long GPF anniversary celebrations will see the following additional activities taking place: a route march, an Inter-Divisions (Male & Female) Domino Competition, a fitness walk, rugby games, a welfare day, the Fallen Heroes (Wreath Laying) Ceremony, the President’s National Clean-Up Initiative, Five-A-Side Inter-Regions (Male & Female) Football Competitions, the Commissioner of Police T-20 Cricket Finals, an awards ceremony, a night of fights, a road relay, an annual swimming championship, and a track & field championship.