THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) yesterday held the closing ceremony for the first phase of training for its SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) team at the Police Officers Training Centre, Eve Leary, Georgetown.

Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee during his feature address said that in the modernisation of the GPF, the SWAT team is a major contributing factor because the unit will be filling a vacuum with its establishment.

He said further that the SWAT unit is trained to save lives as every human being has the fundamental right to life and that is the mantra of this elite team which has completed intense basic training.

The Home Affairs Minister noted that the occasion yesterday was a very historic one in light of the great expectations of the public regarding the SWAT team’s role in maintaining law and order in the interest of the public safety of taxpayers.

The minister pointed out that in Monday’s national budget presentation in Parliament by Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh, a $19 billion allocation was made to the security sector and there is provision for the requisite resources for the SWAT team.

Meanwhile, in observing that the SWAT team is a component of the GPF, Rohee condemned the ongoing ‘bashing’ of law enforcement by sections of the media, which he said is quite uncalled for and unwarranted although they are open to constructive criticisms.

He highlighted the government’s satisfaction with the formation of the SWAT team which is now poised to move to the next level following the successful completion of the first phase of training.

He noted also that the MOHA is in support of the SWAT team which is geared to uphold the basic human rights of every individual and without doubt they will perform creditably because their tenure is secure.

Meanwhile, lead trainer Dallas Stidd, in giving a course overview, said that the journey of the SWAT team was not easy but the group that remained successfully completed the first phase.

Minimal injuries and loss of lives
Stidd explained that the group of men selected for the SWAT team received training in several areas in which they must save lives, while dominating any situation and eliminating any threat with minimal injuries and loss of lives.

The lead trainer stated that the team is now equipped with the ‘know how’ of SWAT operations and in August this year the second phase will be completed, and he thanked the men for choosing a career in law enforcement.
Director of The Emergence Group (TEG) of the United States, Dan Waddington said that the SWAT training was tailored to suit the GPF which has a five-year plan for its upgrade.

Waddington stated that the SWAT team is a specialised group who have special skills and tactics to embrace any situation and they have developed the capacity to act accordingly.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Administration) Balram Persaud and Assistant Superintendent L. Withrite also made brief remarks at the function.

(By Michel Outridge)