HEAD of the Police Immigration Department Officer, Mr. George Vyphuis, is committed to enhancing efficiency and professionalism within that division, following his promotion to Assistant Commissioner.

He told the Guyana Chronicle that, for 2009, he will be placing special emphasis on staff training for the introduction of the CARICOM Travel Card (CARIPASS), that is being touted as a means to better the travel experience of CARICOM nationals and legal residents.

George Vyphuis

Through this system, current holders of the machine readable passports (MRPs), 16-year-olds and older will become part of a trusted traveller regime, once they are deemed eligible, allowing them to be expeditiously processed by specially designed self-service gates at airports before proceeding directly to Baggage Arrival and Customs Halls, Vyphuis said.

Information posted on the CARICOM website www.caricom.org said the process will be implemented at the seaports later. The cards are alternative travel documents for regional movements and valid for periods of between one and three years, at a cost to be determined according to international norms.

The card is designed for frequent regional travellers to avoid long immigration lines at terminals.

Vyphuis said CARIPASS, when in use, will be issued at the Camp Street, Georgetown Immigration and Passport Office after the application, interview and approval procedure is observed.

Other areas he plans to improve through intensive training include courtesy, which received special attention over the recent holiday season; interview techniques; customer relations, passenger processing and detection of false documentation.

Reflecting on some 2008 achievements, Vyphuis said one area which has seen a drastic reduction is the presentation of false documents.

He said that is due partly to the staff being trained also by immigration officials from the United States (U.S.) and Canada.

Vyphuis also attributed the improvement to border management systems, as well as the utilisation of the MRPs which have special security features.

In relation to the issuance of the new CARICOM passports, he said he is very satisfied with the 2008 figures and will be looking to increase the number from 33,057 to at least 50,000 this year.

Vyphuis disclosed that discussions are ongoing at the ministerial level on the upliftment waiting time for new books to be reduced to one week from the present two weeks.

Delivery
He said reducing the wait is to expedite the delivery and accommodate overseas-based Guyanese.

Vyphuis is confident his staffers are capable and more familiar with the new arrangement and, as such, can handle the impending change.

He revealed, too, that, in 2008, 217, 620 left the country and 211,300 entered while, in 2007, 120, 493 came and 116,030 departed.

Meanwhile, Vyphuis said renovation of the Camp Road building will be finished and ready for occupation next month, affording greater comfort and speedier service.

There are plans to install a mounted television screen in the waiting area to advise the public on the correct way to fill forms and avoid errors, among other things.

While he is gratified at the confidence placed in him by the Police Commissioner Henry Greene, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee and the Government, Vyphuis admitted it has been an uphill battle to get where he is today.

Grateful also to God, his wife and children, Vyphuis acknowledged the trust, support and dedication.

He started his policing career as a traffic cop and then went on to beat duty in 1979, before being promoted to corporal in 1983 and sergeant the following year.

Along the way, he completed the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) certificate course in 1984 and earned a Diploma in Youth Development in 1985.

Vyphuis secured a Diploma in social Work from the University of Guyana (UG) in 1990, a Diploma in Principles of Communication in Management from the Adult Education Association (AEA) and further promotions in 2004 and 2006.

He also holds a Certificate in Law Enforcement (Parts I and II) and two more certificates, one from the Public Service Management in Scenario and Strategic Planning and the other in Senior Public Order Managemen.