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TRAINING Officer of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Senior Superintendent, Paul Williams has set the record straight, in relation to the qualifications for entry needed by persons, especially those seeking to enter through the Felix Austin College.
In a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle, he acknowledged that the GPF is, often, accused of failing to attract qualified persons and those with certificates.
But Williams insisted that is not the case and, in fact, the GPF will never engage in looking to accept only applicants with Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) and other certification.
He said, should the Force adopt a position where it accepts only those with CXC or other qualifications of a higher level, it could be considered as discrimination and the GPF does not want to be found guilty of such an act.
Williams pointed out that, for the Force, certificates are not the only or main priority for entry and, should it go down that road, it could be, effectively, denying good young men and women, who have the potential, of an opportunity to make themselves somebody.
Very intelligent
He said the Force has, on numerous occasions, interviewed persons who had no CXC certificates but were very intelligent. Some of them were unable to complete their schooling for various reasons, including social problems which prevented them from writing examinations.
Williams said raising the level of entry requirements could very well mean the GPF depriving itself of the good quality individuals it needs.
On the other side, he said people who are in possession of certification and all the other requirements for entry have turned out to be the most indisciplined.
Meanwhile, there are also more who have entered the Force with minimal qualifications but were able to pursue their academic education and graduate from UG and more institutions.
He said, after being interviewed, aspiring entrants are required to sit an entry examination, after which a decision is made on whether the applicant is ready or capable of moving on to the stage of him or her being enlisted in the training school.
That test for recruits is designed in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the latter is involved in visits to classrooms from time to time and making adjustments, where necessary, with respect to the examinations.
Presently, the GPF has, in its college, persons with university diplomas and degrees, Williams said, pointing out that, between January and June this year, there have been more applicants with CXC as compared to the same period last year.
In a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle, he acknowledged that the GPF is, often, accused of failing to attract qualified persons and those with certificates.
But Williams insisted that is not the case and, in fact, the GPF will never engage in looking to accept only applicants with Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) and other certification.
He said, should the Force adopt a position where it accepts only those with CXC or other qualifications of a higher level, it could be considered as discrimination and the GPF does not want to be found guilty of such an act.
Williams pointed out that, for the Force, certificates are not the only or main priority for entry and, should it go down that road, it could be, effectively, denying good young men and women, who have the potential, of an opportunity to make themselves somebody.
Very intelligent
He said the Force has, on numerous occasions, interviewed persons who had no CXC certificates but were very intelligent. Some of them were unable to complete their schooling for various reasons, including social problems which prevented them from writing examinations.
Williams said raising the level of entry requirements could very well mean the GPF depriving itself of the good quality individuals it needs.
On the other side, he said people who are in possession of certification and all the other requirements for entry have turned out to be the most indisciplined.
Meanwhile, there are also more who have entered the Force with minimal qualifications but were able to pursue their academic education and graduate from UG and more institutions.
He said, after being interviewed, aspiring entrants are required to sit an entry examination, after which a decision is made on whether the applicant is ready or capable of moving on to the stage of him or her being enlisted in the training school.
That test for recruits is designed in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the latter is involved in visits to classrooms from time to time and making adjustments, where necessary, with respect to the examinations.
Presently, the GPF has, in its college, persons with university diplomas and degrees, Williams said, pointing out that, between January and June this year, there have been more applicants with CXC as compared to the same period last year.
