…Top Cop tells new ranks citizens expect professional service

A POLICE officer must be impartial in his or her inquiries and investigations since citizens expect professional service and protection from persons wishing to do them harm or engage in criminal activities.

This was the message to over 91 police recruits by Commissioner of Police Leslie James during his feature address at the graduation ceremony of Felix Austin Police College recruit courses 370, 371 and 372 held on Wednesday at the Tactical Services Unit, Eve Leary, Georgetown. Ninety-one ranks graduated after nine months of training.

The police chief told the ranks that they must be ready to protect citizens, their homes, schools and businesses. He explained that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is engaged in a reformation programme aimed at enhancing professional development and service delivery in keeping with international best practices.

He told the ranks that they are embarking on an exciting and equally serious career as police officers and they must never forget the rules, laws, regulations, procedures and tactics, while remembering the oath of office.

Noting that the challenges of life in today’s world will have to be faced on a daily basis, the commissioner said those who failed to graduate from the training college must realise that it is no walk in the park.

“This job prepares you for the challenges which lie ahead in our communities, it is not easy and it is not a job for everyone. Being a police officer requires a lot of things, it can be very much exhilarating at times; you must display exemplary conduct, excellent turnout and bearings, nimbleness of intellect likened to a sharp mind, honesty, trustworthiness and confidentiality; once you do this job right, it can be a rewarding career,” James told the new ranks.

He continued: “You will know when you have been rewarded; you will feel it in your heart. I urge that you quell your anxieties, be patient, be confident of course, be assertive in the execution of your duties.”
The police chief told the graduates that they must remember their goals and aspirations, while operating with courage and integrity during their interaction with members of the communities.

Force Training Officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken, said the courses commenced on the 25, April, 2018 and included practice for self-defence, first aid, stress and anger management, communication skills, English Language, human rights, domestic violence, community and tourism-oriented policing.

The assistant commissioner explained that the policemen were also subjected to teachings in crime and traffic duties, along with information technology. “You have completed the transformation from civilians to law-enforcement officers, you have passed the hiring segment, survived the physical and mental training by sacrificing the past 36 weeks, you have arrived at this moment in your life,” he told the new recruits.

Noting that they are now embarking on their career journey, Hicken told the police ranks that they should not forget the oath taken from the point hired onto retirement. “You will be in the public eyes, subjected to intense scrutiny, this is just the facts of life for law-enforcing officers. Remember this is a service profession, discipline is paramount, always maintain a high standard of ethics and conduct yourself in a professional manner,” he concluded.