GPF strengthened with 89 new recruits, enhanced foreign language skills

The Guyana Police Force has boosted its strength with the addition of 89 new officers, while also improving its foreign language proficiency. These recruits underwent 8 months of intense training at the Police Academy in Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).
On Wednesday, a graduation ceremony for new recruits from Courses 20 ‘G’, 42 ‘B’, 43 ‘B’, and the Spanish Language Courses (One-Year and Advanced) was hosted at the at the Officers’ Training Centre in Eve Leary.
The GPF in a release said that throughout their tenure at the Academy, the aspiring police completed various facets of policing. They were required to complete a several modules and competencies, achieving a minimum pass mark of 70%. The training covered the following areas: Module One: Introduction to Policing Module 2: Basic Contemporary Policing, Module Two—basic contemporary policing, modern-day best practices, an in-depth examination of the Police Standing Orders, Police Act Chapter 16:01, and the Police Disciplinary Act Chapter 17:01. In module 3—the ranks were exposed to firsthand experience of court proceedings at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and also witnessed several autopsies at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation Mortuary. Module 4 dealt with the theoretical and practical aspects of traffic and crime. Other courses, such as anger management, English language, domestic violence, human rights, and communication, among others, were done. The Force’s Strategic Plan 2022-2026 also received significant attention.
The ranks were also involved in community projects, donating sports gear to the youths in various communities and other acts of giving back to the community.
Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken, in delivering the feature address, congratulated the ranks for their courage and overall achievement throughout their stint at the Academy. The Commissioner stressed to the new ranks the need for professionalism and accountability. He charged the ranks to engage with the community and to be friendly. He reiterated that community-oriented policing has proven to be effective in crime reduction. Hicken encouraged the ranks to be part of the communities they serve; he posited, “To make a difference, what you can do for us is: if somebody is wrong, tell them they are wrong.”. “If someone is doing the right thing, embrace them.” The commissioner alluded to his own experiences as a young police officer and offered recommendations on some activities that create an atmosphere for a friendlier approach to policing.
The top cop urged the ranks to maintain transparency and ethical conduct that aligned with police Standing Order and the laws. He alluded to the forces’ strategic plan and its six pillars, focusing on infrastructure and partnership. The Commissioner also encouraged the parents and the community to support and engage the ranks. He also urged the parents to be vigilant in helping the force hold the young policemen accountable for upholding the oath they took.
The Commissioner expressed his support to the ranks, saying, “I just want to say I believe in you; the senior officers in front of you believe in you; your parents believe in you.”.
Additionally, 12 ranks were awarded for their outstanding performances and copped the Best Student, Runner-up Best Student and, the Most Improved Student awards.
The Best Student award went to Constable 26624 Tacoordeen who gained an overall pass mark of 97%. Also present at the ceremony were Deputy Commissioner ‘Administration’ Mr. Ravindradat Budhram, Deputy Commissioner ‘Law Enforcement’ Wendell Blanhum, Second in Command ‘Administration’, Woman Superintendent Angela Fraser, Director of the Police Force Academy Woman Superintendent Sonia Herbert, other senior and junior officers, parents, and other invitees.