Junior officers course aims at developing intellectual abilities to navigate complexities of modern law enforcement – Acting Top Cop
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Monday opened its first junior officers course for 2024 at its training facility on Camp Road in Georgetown.
The course has been described as a programme which would not only build a more professional law enforcement mechanism, but allow officers to become forerunners of justice and public safety.
The course integrates theoretical knowledge with practical skills in order to educate officers on current problems of law enforcement in Guyana, regionally and internationally.
Acting Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken delivering his address
Acting Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken has lauded the course as a critical step towards moulding the GPF’s organisational future and as an essential step in efforts to promote ethics and professionalism. He explained that training programmes of this sort are intended to educate officers on relevant laws, policies, procedures, and best practices in criminal investigation; use of force, conflict resolution, and community policing; allow them to develop critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills which are essential for responding to unpredictable situations and making informed decisions; and promote professionalism, ethical behaviour, and accountability among law enforcement personnel, which is crucial for building trust and positive relationships with their communities.
Senior Police ranks and other officials at the launching ceremony on Monday
Hicken declared, “Overall, practical law enforcement training is essential for ensuring public safety and the protection of individual rights, while upholding the rule of law. This will demonstrate the Guyana Police Force’s academic excellence, and reflect our commitment to developing future leaders with a focus on ethical values, conduct, and unfailing professionalism.
“This course is more than simply a curriculum; it transforms officers by developing the intellectual abilities necessary to navigate the complexities of modern law enforcement,” Hicken disclosed.
This junior officers course is, moreover, aimed at promoting academic success while instilling a strong sense of community service. The Top Cop relayed that it also lays the intellectual foundation to facilitate these officers serving as pillars of leadership and allowing their problem-solving abilities to thrive.
“It will test your determination, decision-making talents, and interpersonal skills. It emphasises the importance of a balanced approach, combining theoretical knowledge with practical abilities to fully equip you for the current global difficulties of law enforcement. I am confident you will emerge from this course more robust and prepared for your responsibilities,” he said.
“As the future leaders of the Guyana Police Force and the organisations represented, you play an essential role in upholding our unshakable dedication to integrity, professionalism, and academic excellence. Accept this adventure with excitement, devotion, and a thirst for education, and you will stand out as the forerunners of justice and public safety,” Hicken advised.
This venture is a collaborative effort between the Guyana Police Force Academy and its partners, inclusive of the National Accreditation Council of Guyana, the University of Guyana, Nations University, the Justice Education Society and Government ministries.
A section of the gathering on Monday
In addressing the gathering, Deputy Commissioner ‘Administration’, Calvin Brutus, related that this course, the first of its kind under this partnership, speaks volumes about GPF’s high standard and dedication to law enforcement, learning and development.
“This course stands tall as a testament to our unwavering commitment to the strategic pillar of developing our people, enshrined in the Guyana Police Force’s Strategic Plan for 2022 to 2026. We recognise that our greatest strength lies in our human capital, and we are dedicated to fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional growth within our ranks,” he declared.
Participants of this course include ranks from the Guyana Defence Force and the Guyana Prison Service, and their counterparts from Caricom member states such as St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts, Bahamas, Grenada, and St. Lucia; besides individuals from the Guyana Revenue Authority, Environmental Protection Agency, City Constabulary, and the Geology and Mines Commission.
