-trainees urged to stay focused on fulfilling Force’s mandate
GOVERNMENT’s commitment to ensuring that the joint services are fully mobilised to face the country’s security challenges saw the commissioning Saturday of a fully rehabilitated Richard Faikall Police College, ‘G’ Division, Essequibo. In 2001, then Police Commissioner Laurie Lewis dedicated the college in honour of Sergeant 11117 Richard Faikall, who tragically lost his life in the line of duty in 1997.
Subsequently, government, with support from the private sector, undertook to rehabilitate the facility, to improve its operational capacity.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee said that bringing this facility to its current state is an achievement, as training is an ongoing process and forms an extremely important component of the Force.
Turning to the officers in training, he said that they must have a passion for the objectives of their profession.
“Maintain your focus and do not allow yourself to be distracted by detractors, whose sole purpose is to cast aspersions and demoralise your profession,” the Home Affairs Minister urged.
He also reminded the officers of the importance of maintaining integrity at all times and to practice impartiality in the discharge of their duties.
He added, “If you must take a side, ensure you are on the side of the law at all times, which is where your loyalty must lie.”
Meanwhile, Police Commissioner, Henry Greene said that the resuscitation of this facility is a fitting honour to the Faikall family.
He pointed out that the Force loses recruits all the time, and as such, continuous training is necessary if its mandate of service and protection is to be fulfilled.
Greene joined the minister in charging the trainees to stay true to their role of detecting and preventing crime, which is their primary duty as members of the Force.
He reminded too that they are not masters but servants of the people, and as such they must work closely with the community and be exemplary role models, particularly to the youths, to ensure that they are moulded into responsible citizens of tomorrow.
“Service and protection is our job and we must not lose sight of that at any time,” the Police Commissioner said.
Regional Chairman, Region Two,  Ali Baksh, expressed the hope that the trainees will take up the mantle of officers in the Force like Richard Faikall, who led by example, and whose contribution has made a difference to the country as a whole.
He said that with the age of technology comes greater security challenges, and the Force has to be prepared to take on those challenges.
At present, 30 officers are undergoing training at the college.  (GINA)