– 812 civilians graduate from police computer centres

SENIOR Superintendent, Paul Williams yesterday told this publication that since the launching of the Zara Computer Centre based at the Police Officers’ Training Centre in Georgetown, a total of 812 civilians have graduated after successfully completing various computer courses.Georgetown, Essequibo and Berbice

Williams said that the Zara Group is from the U.S. and team members include Mr. and Mrs. Jay Sobhraj, Mr. Nardeo Singh and Mr. Sarvan Kumar Budhu, all of whom have assisted the Guyana Police Force with the establishment of three state-of-the-art computer centres.

Williams said that on June 2, 2012 the first centre was commissioned at the Felix Austin Police College, Adventure Village, Corentyne, Berbice.

Meanwhile, the second Zara Computer Centre was opened on June 8, 2013 and is located at Richard Fiakal Police College, Suddie, Essequibo and the third is at GPF Officers’ Training Centre which was launched on December 1, 2013, he said.

Williams noted that each computer centre has the capacity to accommodate 30 students per session and since its establishment they have graduated persons, who are versed in various levels of Microsoft Office programmes.

He pointed out that since the partnership between the GPF and the Zara Group they have agreed that a primary objective is to build the Information Technology capacity of members of the Force, since the GPF must be ahead with skilled personnel and infrastructure to solve cybercrimes.
They also aim to offer information technology training free of cost to members of the public with the intention of giving them marketable skills which can lead to employment opportunities and the building of a stronger relationship with the police and the community.

Williams said from June 2012 to the present, a total of 812 (Essequibo – 380, Berbice – 257 and Georgetown – 175) persons (civilians and members of the GPF) have graduated who voluntarily attended computer courses within the three centres.

He disclosed that the figure does not include recruits who have to do compulsory computer courses while in training and the Georgetown Zara Computer Centre has since had two graduations while the Suddie, Essequibo centre had one.

Williams told this publication that for 2014 their training theme is: “Training with the focus of maximising visions, skills and art for enhancing leadership for a modern GPF.”

The Force Training Officer said the GPF is at present going through a modernisation phase, with the major focus on the implementation of its five-year strategic plan which has five priority areas such as partnership, developing our people, infrastructure, operational priorities and performance.

The Senior Officer said, “I would like to, on behalf of the Commissioner, the senior administration and all ranks of the GPF, say thanks to the Zara Group for the opportunity where our ranks are continuing to benefit and the capacity that we have acquired we can offer IT within our service delivery to members of the public.”

(By Michel Outridge)