THE Guyana Police Force (GPF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security’s Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA), Friday began a 2-day workshop to aid in fostering closer ties between the two agencies.

Human Services and Social Security Minister, Ms Jennifer Webster, Friday said that the event is aimed at addressing police ranks to effectively administer the Sexual Offences Act, and the way they implement certain sections

of the Act, in terms of having speedier reports of sexual offences committed on minors and women.

She explained that the exercise was necessary for ranks to understand their roles and the importance of addressing the act in a coherent manner, whilst at the same time the exercise was providing training on the Sexual Offences Act to many of the agencies that have to implement the Act, in order to equip them with an understanding of what the Act contains and bring about greater awareness, especially as it relates to prosecution.

Minister Webster pointed out that the Ministry has developed a protocol for ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), which is a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) which guides them in dealing with reports received at police stations, how they deal with those reports, and what is required in terms of the investigative process.

Webster stated that, in order to prevent cases going before the courts and being thrown out because of a lack of evidence, the protocol would also address the issue of how the police should deal with child victims, since the Child Care and Protection Agency, through the One-Stop Shop Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), has partnered with Child Link and Forward Guyana to have a more ‘child-friendly’ environment to address the complaints of child victims who are raped. A friendlier process would be used, using a television and relay, so that they are not afraid to tell their story, using visual arts by doing drawings and so forth.

The minister added that the two-day activity is to share and train the police, which started Friday, and she is hopeful that the desired objective would be achieved – ranks would be able to comprehend what is required of them by the Sexual Offences Act.

Meanwhile, Force Training Officer, Paul Williams Friday told this publication that the programme is aimed at training the police. He said the Ministry coordinated the training for the police to have closer working relationship in terms of initial stage of report of child abuse.

He explained that the event was necessary because what has been recognised over time is that there has been a breakdown in terms of the two agencies working together, which indirectly hindered successful prosecutions.

Williams stated that the workshop would assist both the police and welfare officials in understanding their roles in their respective agencies, and to inter-link as it relates to communication between the police and the ministry throughout all divisions.

He added that the two-day workshop is beneficial for both parties, since it would clearly outline their roles and functions, and make for greater cooperation.

(By Michel Outridge)