The Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Board of Industrial Training of the Ministry of Labour have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) which would see the Force and the Ministry partnering to administer training and aid in the re-skilling of persons in communities across Guyana, as well as expanding other training opportunities for retired Police personnel.
The signing of the documents was done in the Ministry of Labour’s Boardroom in Brickdam by Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton; Police Commissioner (ag) Clifton Hicken; Deputy Commissioner ‘Administration’ (ag.) Calvin Brutus; and CEO of the Board of Industrial Training, Richard Maughn.
Deputy Commissioner ‘Administration’ (ag.) Calvin Brutus signing the MoA on behalf of the Guyana Police Force in the presence of acting Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken and Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton
The MoA will see the creation of a more transparent and sustained way to deliver training opportunities that would empower youths and aid in their positive transformation. As a result, the Police Force would be key stakeholder to identify communities in consultation with parents/guardians.
“The fact that the Police are closer to communities, we will want the Police to point us to communities in an effort to develop young people, so that the Board of Industrial Training can intervene to have positive outcomes in those communities. I don’t know of any other entity that is closer to the communities and people with social issues like the Police Force,” Minister Hamilton has posited.
Commissioner Hicken, in his remarks at the signing ceremony, said the Police Force is fully committed to engaging and partnering with communities across Guyana, especially when it comes to youth development and empowerment.
“Now that I am at the helm of the Force, all ranks will be tasked with rebuilding and strengthening that commitment with the communities,” Hicken declared.
The Top Cop said Police must be professional in serving communities, hence partnership should be embraced to bridge the gap with members of the public.
“With the MoA, a structured relationship will be in place to prepare the youths with various skill sets, which will help to make them more marketable in the field of work,” he said.
He said it will also add value to the communities, as those trained can use their knowledge and skills-set to help develop and change the stigma attached to their communities.
Hicken also disclosed that the Force has established a Community Relations Department, which will work hand-in-hand with all the Police Commanders to address requests made by the regions to collaborate with the Labour Ministry, to engage youths and have more activities that can facilitate youth involvement.
Also present at the signing ceremony were: Force Training Officer, Superintendent Keithon King; Head of the Strategic Planning Unit, Assistant Superintendent Nicola Kendall; Head of the Community Relations Department, Senior Superintendent Crystal Robinson; Police Legal Advisor Mandel Moore; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour, Bishram Kuppen; Senior Technical Officers at the Labour Ministry, Bevon Shepherd and Leon Greaves; Human Resources Officer at the Ministry, Melinda Kelly; and Senior Finance Officer at the Ministry, Saskia Eastman.
