THE Guyana Police Force, which continues to add to its manpower, on Saturday witnessed the passing out of 23 ranks from recruit course No. 319 and an additional 26 ranks from a senior accelerated course.The event was held in the compound of the Felix Austin Training College, where the ranks underwent most of their training exercises. Their passing out parade was witnessed by family members and senior and junior ranks of the Force.
For the Recruit course police constable 22489 Maglorie was recognised and rewarded as the most improved student, constable 22481 Chester the runner- up best student and woman constable 22502 Jeremiah the best student.
In the Senior Accelerated Course Constable 22571 St. Jules was recognised and rewarded for being the most improved student, woman constable 22497 Stewart the runner up best student and woman constable 22532 Persaud the best student.
During his report on the course, Training Instructor, Inspector Jermaine Harper said that based on the reviews received from stakeholders and other persons who worked with the two groups, the course has proven to be a success.
He said that of most importantance to the facilitators—especially those outside the force– were the level of participation and the quality of dialogue that the ranks engaged in. He said that the information which was disseminated during the courses was regarded as ideal for individual and collective advancement of those involved.
Harper explained that another major issue which was addressed during the training was the effective communication or the lack thereof within the force, which has contributed to the level of criticism that the organisation faces. He said that communication is something that needs to be addressed individually first before it can be tackled collectively, since each rank should be able to communicate effectively with members of the public and their co-workers.
In his address to the ranks, Force Training Officer Senior Superintendent Paul Williams said that the organization has been targeting the right set of persons to come on board, even as they strive very hard to equip the ranks of the force with the requisite skills to perform in a professional manner when dealing with members of the public.
Williams said that though there are often a lot of questions asked by persons outside of the force if the training which ranks are receiving is adequate, he lamented that the training is always adequate and persons need to understand that training has various levels and at the level of the recruits the training is totally adequate.
The force training officer added that what is important thereafter is the supervision and ensuring that whatever those persons were trained in are put into practice. He encouraged the ranks not to be influenced by peers with negative approaches to the job and life as a whole. “The public needs you and the public needs your trust,” Williams affirmed.
Delivering the feature address was Assistant Commissioner of Police, Administration, Balram Persaud,who reminded the ranks on the parade that the training in the force or in any other organisation will never be easy; but it’s geared at preparing one for the world of work.
He reminded the ranks also that the decision to serve in the Guyana Police Force was a choice that they had made and as such they must be proud of their career choice and understand that very often the jobs of police officers could be one of the most thankless jobs.
“The people you serve will select the highest bar for you to adhere to and any failure on your part of not reaching those standards will be met with some of the severe criticisms we face today. Criticism will come from your peers, your seniors, the very people you serve, sometimes even the judiciary; you have to hold yourself in the job that you have chosen higher than anyone else” Balram Persaud took the ranks.
He said that there are few people who will be able to understand the job of a policeman or woman even as he cautioned that it is only them, police officers who will understand their job since they are the ones dealing with the most violent and callus members of the society.

(By Leroy Smith)