-Commissioner of Police tells graduate junior officers
COMMISSIONER of Police Henry Greene on Friday urged members of the Disciplined Services who’d just completed a Junior Officers’ Course, run by the Guyana Police Force (GPF), to be role models that is expected of them, and to be the leaders they were trained to be.

Speaking at the Course’s closing ceremony held at the Police Officers’ Annexe at GPF’s Eve Leary headquarters, he also urged that they manage those ranks under their command, and take the necessary action in a professional manner when problems and issues arise.

Having outlined the importance of the course, in which numerous things are taught, Commissioner Greene spoke of his experience taking the course in his time.
He told the gathering that the course can be deemed the future of training in the GPF, and that the GPF will continue the course annually.
He stated that a corps of officers has benefited each year since the course commenced some years ago, and considering the number of cadets now in the GPF, it now raises consideration that the course be run twice per year – once for cadets, and again for the junior officers.
Greene noted that the Junior Officers’ Course #21 enhances the succession plans of the GPF, in which it prepares officers for leadership positions after they would have been promoted. This form of training, he said, assists ranks to portray the right attitude and professionalism in their work, while at the same time giving credit to the structure of the training.
He told the large gathering that the Junior Officers’ Course trains officers for managerial positions in the GPF, equipping them with the training necessary to effectively execute the job, and it reflects on their individual performances.
The top cop said that completion of the course presents an officer with the right opportunity to turn a new leaf and return to work with a new outlook, and to improve on the quality of their work.
The Commissioner also spoke of the duties leadership posts entail. He urged the officers to act, give instructions, delegate work, and face problems and issues, as these will arise and must be dealt with professionally.
Greene said, “Leadership positions and duties should not be treated lightly, and officers should apply themselves and constantly improve at their job, act professionally, take leadership role, and execute it well when dealing with problems, since leadership is not just an occupation. You cannot run away from issues and problems when those you manage come to you for advice and leadership. Face the problems and deal with it as officers. Some of us want to go and hide when problems face us. If so, you are in the wrong job, and I want to emphasise the role of leadership in all situations. Take action when problems arise, and advise the ranks under your command to give directions, take charge of the situation, then report to the commanders.”
Greene told the officers that they cannot escape the responsibility of leadership. When it comes to dealing with the public, officers will be tested even greater, and he urged them to find solutions to the problems before they get out of hand.
The top cop encouraged the officers to improve their writing and communication skills in the line of their jobs, to be firm leaders, and to respect and support the ranks in their command, even if it means apologizing when they have wronged the ranks.
Greene urged junior officers to implement control measures, since the job is not a flamboyant one, and to display a positive attitude at all times, since it is an on-the-job training.
Commissioner Greene also announced yesterday that, for the course, best paper student will receive $100,000, Best student will get $200,000 and Best Presentation will be awarded $100,000. This news was met with loud applause.
Female Course Coordinator A. Small, who gave the course evaluation, said the theme is “Training for greater efficiency and effectiveness”, and objectives of the course are to improve the participants’ professional competence; to upgrade participants’ knowledge in the art of leadership; to help participants understand techniques of human behaviour; to improve their skills of communication; and sharpen their competence in the use of English as a means of increasing the effectiveness of their job performance; to enable participants to appreciate their roles in the context of the legal framework pertaining to Guyana; to stimulate the thoughts and energies of participants; to maintain and strengthen formal links among uniformed services in Guyana, thereby creating a formidable spirit of cordiality and brotherhood; and to enhance the succession plan of the GPF.
She related that participants ranked from Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASP) to Inspectors who were drawn from the GPF, The Guyana Fire Service, the Guyana Prison Service, and the City Constabulary.
She added that the course lasted for 15 weeks, and covered eight subjects in two modules.
Small noted the methodologies were lectures, demonstrations, visual aids, PowerPoint presentations, handouts, group discussions, and group exercises, info tech and brainstorming; and participants were attached to the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) for two weeks.
She stated that they were involved and were engaged in a number of training exercises, in addition to being attached to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Laboratory for one day.
She described the course as a learning experience, where participants were hungry for knowledge and displayed a high degree of discipline.
Meanwhile, Clinton Conway, Force Training Officer, said that the course conducted by the GPF was aimed at developing and training its junior ranks for managerial positions.
He added that, for the GPF, training is the catalyst used for development of officers.
The junior officers, which numbered 22, were presented gifts and tokens for their participation, and were lauded for their efforts.