HUNDREDS braved the rainy weather to watch the police showcase their talents and skills at an aptly titled “Police Day” at the newly built Durban Park on Saturday.

The event was the Guyana Police Force’s contribution to Guyana’s 50th independence celebrations.
Although there were booths that provided information to highlight the force and its activities, the crowd was focused on the thrilling activities on the tarmac.
In attendance was Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud, and other senior officers of the Police Force. Divisional Commander, Assistant Commissioner Clifton Hicken ,was on the ball making sure the event unfolded smoothly.
Ramjattan, in opening remarks, said his ministry will do its best to assist the force in executing its mandate.
“We are now gaining the public trust in the Police Force; without the public trust we are not going to solve crimes…once there is public trust and confidence in the Police Force, once the crime situation is solved, we can get a lot of things solved that can then attract more investors and people can have more confidence in Guyana,” the minister explained.

He said the happiness level will rise when society experiences crime reduction, given the current rate at which criminals are being caught and crimes are being investigated and prosecuted.
The show began with a march-past by divisional representatives and youth groups followed by a medley of folk songs by the police string band.
As the action continued, the police mounted branch did a musical ride as 10 officers, including two females, commandeered their horses, and ended with a formation of the number “50” in recognition of Guyana’s Golden independence anniversary.
The mounted branch also clashed with the “Battle of the Mounties,” as ranks on six horses with a pair of balloons attached to the rider were required to burst their opponent’s balloon until a lone survivor won.

The event displayed the rider’s skill and control.
The Mounted Branch ended their display with musical chairs, which required the rank to dismount and secure a chair by sitting in it when the music stopped.
For the canine section, dogs and their handlers who were trained in Texas did searches for marijuana, a grenade and a handgun concealed in a minibus.
The dogs appeared to be excellently trained, except for that one occasion in the agility test when one of them chose not to jump through the hoop with flame. Even a retry proved unsuccessful as the dog applied brakes instead of pouncing through the flaming hoop.
The highlight of the activities was the simulation of a hostage rescue done by the S.W.A.T team, which had to apprehend criminals and save civilians on a large bus.
Screams were heard from the crowd as smoke bombs went off and filled the air, making it impossible to see the bus, as a minibus of S.W.A.T members pulled up at the rear of the larger bus and disembarked. All that was seen after the smoke faded into the background was the police escorting the handcuffed criminals and civilians off the bus into their vehicle taking them off the scene.
Then there was the public order drill, which saw a team of masked persons with sticks and coconuts descending onto the scene in a riotous act, as police from the Tactical Service Unit (TSU) with their barricades and batons confronted the group. The riotous group was eventually dispersed after stoning the TSU ranks who overpowered the mob that ultimately disappeared.
The event wound down with the gymnastic and martial arts displays.
The police military band closed off the session as a jubilant crowd prepared for more activities for the 50th anniversary celebrations in the new week.