Joint Services launch intensive election security training

…focus on threat response, SOP adherence, national synergy

In anticipation of the upcoming national elections, the Joint Services have commenced a two-day programme to enhance synergy between its ranks.
These sessions will be held at the Police Officers’ Mess Annexe, Eve Leary.
The two-day working sessions aim to equip ranks with the tools to deal with any emerging threats during the election period.
Some of the topics slated to be covered during these sessions are the legal framework for the use of force in operations, the legal framework for public order policing, public order policing, election day security, the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) response to public disorder and riots, foot, aerial, and vehicle patrols, vehicle anti-ambush, cordon and search, roadblocks, and election day security, among others. After each session, there will be a panel discussion, which is necessary for pertinent information sharing.
Each of the Joint Services heads shared brief remarks on how dependent all of the services are during the election period to enhance their election capabilities. They reiterated the importance of following Standard Operating Procedures to carry out their functions.

Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken, while sharing remarks at the event, expressed that all services work hand in hand to complete the greater initiative of serving.
He said, “We have lead roles whenever there is a situation, and so if there is an issue with the border, we support the Army; all of us support the Fire and Prison Services; if there is internal security, everybody supports the Police; if there is a fire, the Police will support the Fire Service; if they need to, the Army will come out. Whenever a prisoner escapes, everybody will roll.”
Additionally, the commissioner noted that despite all the training ranks received, there are still individuals who are deviating from the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). He further stated that this is negatively impacting the organisations and tarnishing their reputation. Hicken urged the participants to maintain their ground and adhere to the SOPs, regardless of the training they have received or the nature of the confrontation.
Only on Monday, a 12-week junior officers’ training programme aimed at professionalism, ethical conduct, and community engagement across joint services was officially launched by the GPF with the commencement of its Junior Officers’ Course One of 2025 on Monday.