– Special Constabulary (Female) & FAPC  ( Georgetown) win
CRISP, precision-like coordination with intense competition was the order last Friday afternoon, when six teams, three males and three females, competed for bragging rights in the finals of the 171st Anniversary Drill Competition of the Guyana Police Force, staged after a hiatus of eight years.

Themed `Drill – The Foundation of Discipline’ and staged at the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) Square, the friendly drill rivalry was witnessed by a sizeable crowd comprising mostly Police Officers and other ranks.

Among those present were Commissioner of Police, Henry Greene;  Commander `A’ Division, George Vyphius; and Assistant Commissioners Krishna Lakeraj and Leroy Brummel.

The competing teams  were, in the  Female Category  – `A’ Division, Special Constabulary and Headquarters and, for the Male Category  – `A’ Division; Felix Austin Police College (F.A.P.C `B` Division) and F.A.P. C ( Georgetown).

The judges were Retired Sergeant Major Thomas; Force Sergeant Major Thom of the Guyana Defence Force (the Chief Judge) and retired Sergeant Major Bowman.

The teams were judged on their execution of Foot and Arms drills, Position or Silent Drill where each team was required to execute its display without receiving command from the drill instructor.

In this sequence, the team was also allowed to showcase improvised drill techniques, which saw each team receiving appreciative responses from the audience.

At the conclusion, it was  FAPC ( Georgetown) ably led by Constable Inniss which emerged the winners in the Male Category with 94 per cent ahead of `A’ Division led by Corporal Bacon – 89.2 per cent,  followed by `B` Division with Sergeant Wilson at the helm with  86.2 per cent.

For the females, Special Constabulary led by W/Sergeant Sutton was adjudged the winner with 80 per cent followed by Headquarters with 78.1 per cent and led by W/Sgt Ferguson and `A’ Division with L/CPL Benjamin at the helm with 74.2 per cent in the third position.

Securing the coveted Best Female Instructor spot was Sergeant Sutton of Special Constabulary who scored 14 out of the maximum 20 points.

For male instructors, L/Cpl Inniss was voted Best Instructor with 19 points, followed by L’cpl Bacon of `A’ Division with 18.5 per cent and Cpl Wilson of Berbice in third position with 17 points.

In addition to trophies, the teams won $100,000; $75,000 and $50,000 respectively, in order of their respective placement.
Commissioner Greene, in brief remarks prior to the announcement of the winners, said he was impressed with the level of drill display by all the finalists, in particular the male teams which comprised of young constables.

Commissioner Greene reminded those present that ‘Drill’ is aimed to produce an individual/s with a disciplined mind and body, with the ability to respond and obey orders, since the latter “may save your lives one day”, and drill formations to allow for a more professional look.

The Police Commissioner also announced an additional $25,000 as cash incentives for each team, an announcement met with loud cheer.

The Best Male and Female Drill Instructors got a further $50,000 each and they were also both elevated in rank.

Also receiving `on-the-spot’ promotions were the runners-up male and female Drill Instructors.

All the competing teams were rewarded with trophies and financial incentives, while the drill instructors all received on-the-spot promotions for what can be described as a `commendable’ effort.

Chairman of the afternoon’s proceedings which was spiced up with music by the Police Force Band, was Superintendent Clifton Hicken.
He signalled an early warning that the Tactical Services Unit (TSU), known for their drilling skills but which did not field a team in this year’s competition, will be aiming to gain back their rightful position next year.