HOME Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, last Friday, declared open the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Junior Officers’ Course #23, being held at the Police Officers’ Mess Annexe in Eve Leary, Georgetown.

Admonishing the 29 participants to take seriously their responsibilities as middle managers in promoting the image of the GPF, the minister urged the ranks to foster good relationships with their communities by establishing scout groups, youth clubs, station management committees, and community policing groups to contribute to maintaining harmonious relations between the police and communities.
He also encouraged the batch to make use of the training opportunity to significantly advance their personal development, since they will be exposed to the views of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) on issues relating to public security.
The minister said the course will provide clear indication of the MoHA’s views on issues relating to personal security, and its policies to improve the quality of security delivered by the GPF.
Rohee pointed out that the course was deliberately mounted to build the capacity of middle managers and junior ranks of the GPF, thereby bringing about better qualified police men and women, who would transform the Force by adapting to modern day society.
He said ranks should consider themselves as “generalists, and not specialists”, and they should embrace the requisite skills to perform their jobs whilst developing themselves.
Rohee noted that the GPF has since embarked on implementing the strategic plan, critical to maintaining the mandate of the Force.
Also giving remarks on Friday was Acting Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell, who told the ranks they can never have too much training; and that, for the past five years, the GPF has been developing strategies by way of training programmes for ranks, in order that they might improve their on-the-job performance.
He added that this is the second such course for this year, and that he would like to see a programme for physical training of ranks in these courses. He called on the ranks to grasp the opportunity to become better policemen in service to Guyana.
Brumell charged the ranks to always be truthful and professional, and to deal with matters at police stations promptly and efficiently, so citizens would have very little to complain about.
The Top Cop said he would like to see less complaints made against the police, so that the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) can focus its attention in other areas.
Giving the course overview, Deputy Superintendent Ingrid Wilshire said the GPF Junior Officers’ Course # 23 will last three months, and there are two modules to be studied. The first would be done at the University of Guyana (UG), and the second would be completed at the Felix Austin Police College.
She also outlined the seven-point objectives of the course on Friday, and added that participants will be assessed upon completion of the course.
Meanwhile, Head of the School of Professional Development at UG, Mr. Winston Headley, in brief remarks, highlighted the importance of training as vital for group and self-development. Police Force Training Officer, Brian Joseph also spoke at the event.