THE Joint Services, comprising the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Prison Service and the Guyana Fire Service on Wednesday commenced participating in a two-day Command Post Exercise (CPX), “EXERCISE HOLDFAST” at the Base Camp Ayanganna Auditorium as part of their preparations for the Local Government Election (LGE) scheduled for March 18, 2016.Exercise Holdfast is aimed at practicing the officers and ranks of the Joint Services in the development of critical thinking and effective responses to potential problems which may be experienced during the LGE, a release from the GDF said.
On Wednesday morning the officers and ranks assembled at 10:00 hours and were briefed as to what was expected from them during the exercise before being placed into several syndicates. The syndicates were provided with a series of scenarios, of incidents likely to occur during the LGE. The Syndicate’s members are meant to study these scenarios within an operational context with the view to exacting the most desirable course of action to be taken, should an untoward eventuality occur. One such potential scenario could be the outbreak of civil disobedience which threatens the lives of citizens who seek to engage their right to exercise their constitutional franchise at the place of poll.
The CPX allows officers and ranks to not only be prepared for their respective roles, but also to understand the individual and collective role of their respective organisations. With members of the Disciplined Services already having cast their ballots, the exercise will in part aid in ensuring a safe and secure environment for the conduct of the LGE.