The Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Friday held a closing ceremony for the Junior Officer’s Course Number 19 at Police Officer’s Mess Annexe, Eve Leary, Georgetown.

Officers and participants on Friday at the closing ceremony.

Commissioner of Police Henry Greene, in brief remarks, spoke of the collaborative effort of GPF and the University of Guyana (UG) for the course and expressed thanks to the lecturers for their work.

He also urged the policemen and women to access UG and make use of the opportunity to sharpen their skills at the academic level and continue to excel.

Greene also talked of the recent incident at the Springlands Police Station in which some policemen took advantage of a Brazilian woman whose husband was in police custody.

He said they will face the courts for their actions. The Top Cop added that the attitudes of some policemen are not suitable for the job and asked them to re-examine themselves and do the work they were tasked with, to “Serve and Protect”.

Greene explained that this is where Junior Officers play a role by being good middle managers, leading policemen and women in their command to inculcate good practices, and take action where necessary. The Junior Officers were asked to satisfy public cry for help and discharge their duties.

Greene pointed out that the attitude of ranks reflects the leadership of the junior officers and noted the importance of the course which brings out quality officers.

Greene also talked of the upcoming promotions this month and how many may be expecting to be on the list.

The objectives of the Junior Officers’ Course Number 19 are:

(a) To improve the students’ professional competence.

(b) To upgrade students knowledge in the art of leadership, techniques of good management theories of human behaviour and the skills of communication.

(c) To upgrade participants’ competence in the use of English as a means of increasing the effectiveness of their job performance.

(d) To enable participants to appreciate their role in the context of the legal framework pertaining to Guyana.

(e) To enhance the succession plan of the GPF.

(f) To stimulate the thoughts and energies of participants.

(g) To maintain and strengthen formal links among uniformed services in Guyana, thereby creating a formidable spirit of cordiality and brotherhood.

The course started on October 12, 2009 with 26 ranks drawn from the GPF, the GDF, GFS, and the City Constabulary, at the Felix Austin Police College residential school where 116 subjects were taught for enhancement.

In the feature address, guest speaker Dr M. Scott, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Guyana, advised participants to use their skills and knowledge to the fullest in the context of their duties.

Dr Scott discussed several topics of interest that were taught in the course and urged participants to continue relative training programmes to enhance themselves.