COMMISSIONER of Police Seelall Persaud last Saturday highlighted the need for young people to be fully engaged in activities that develop their life skills and broaden their knowledge on a variety of fronts.The Top Cop was at the time delivering the closing remarks at the ‘A’ Division second annual youth camp held at Madewini, Timehri. It was organised by Commander Clifton Hicken with

assistance from ranks in the division as well as partners of the Police Social Crime Prevention initiatives.
Persaud noted that the issues of life skills development and knowledge lend support to the true meaning of independence since life could become very hard for persons without skills.
BECOMING INDEPENDENT
Being equipped with life skills and knowledge is a part of the process of becoming independent, the police commissioner told the children, caregivers and other facilitators who worked with the children during the five-day camp.
It was against that backdrop that Persaud highlighted the ongoing social crime prevention programmes by the Guyana Police Force in all police divisions, where they engage mostly young people and in some cases single parents and other unemployed persons from communities that have been considered as ‘high risk’.

The Top Cop reiterated that the move was adopted after evidence proved that crimes are social issues and must be tackled from a social vantage point and not just through law enforcement which cannot tackle the issues of crime comprehensively as is sometimes widely perceived.
The issue of conflict resolution was also raised during Persaud’s presentation as he pointed out that it remains very important for training to be done, especially among young people, as it helps the process. He stressed that once persons are aware of how conflicts can be handled without violence, then those measures will be executed by those who are equipped.

Also addressing the closing ceremony were Commander Hicken and Camp Mother Superintendent of Police Desiree Fowler. According to Mrs. Fowler the camp covered a wide range of topics which were dealt with by the facilitators, both in-house as well as partners of the police force.
The sessions included motivational talks, conflict resolution, hygiene, health and safety, substance abuse and law enforcement, etc.
Meanwhile, Hicken encouraged the children to share their newly-acquired knowledge and skills with others in their respective communities, including adults.