“It is always better to prevent a crime than solve it” – Crime Chief

…as 36 ranks graduate junior investigators course

The investigative capabilities of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) have been strengthened following the completion of the Junior Investigators Course 2/2026 by 36 ranks from across various Police divisions.
The four-week training programme began on May 18 at the Officers’ Training Complex and concluded on June 12. It was designed to enhance investigative knowledge, practical skills and professional standards among junior investigators as part of ongoing efforts to modernise the force’s crime-fighting capacity. The Officers’ Training Complex provided logistical support and meals throughout the course. Training was delivered by senior and junior Police advisers, along with experienced officers of the GPF, who facilitated both lectures and practical sessions.
Participants received instruction in key areas of criminal investigation, including homicide investigations, interview techniques, crime scene management, report writing, case file preparation, elements of crime and offences, committals and inquests, laws of evidence, defences to crime and criminal law and procedure.
The programme also included refresher sessions to reinforce core investigative principles, as well as exposure to emerging investigative tools and technologies aimed at improving operational effectiveness. To assess competency, participants completed three examinations comprising both theoretical and practical components. At the closing ceremony, Deputy Commissioner (Law Enforcement) Wendell Blanhum, who is also the Crime Chief, congratulated the participants on completing the programme and urged them to maintain professionalism.
“I want to commence by commending and congratulating every one of you for successfully making it to the end of this Junior Investigators’ Course,” Blanhum is quoted as saying in a release posted on the GPF’s social media page. He stated that the Force will continue to invest in building investigative capacity, including identifying and developing young officers and providing opportunities for overseas training. He also emphasised that meritocracy will guide advancement within the CID.
According to the Crime Chief’s remarks delivered at the event, the course aims to strengthen investigative skills and prepare ranks to respond to emerging threats, including organised crime and criminal networks. Blanhum noted that practical exercises and real-life scenarios were included to better prepare participants for field operations. He urged graduates to remain disciplined and committed in their duties, describing them as representatives of the Force. He also stressed the importance of teamwork among divisions, encouraging collaboration between detectives, traffic ranks, general duty ranks and special branch ranks.
“We have a very sacred duty as detectives… it is always better to prevent a crime than having to solve it,” he said. Lance Corporal Nickomo Blackman topped the course, while Corporal George Fraser placed second and Corporal Tanesha Johnson placed third.