SINCE during 2012, the Guyana Police Force has been receiving invaluable support from the US-based Guyanese Zara Reality Group of Companies with capacity-building in the field of Information Technology.This partnership has seen the establishment of three Police/Zara Computer Centres in the Guyana Police Force, which has contributed significantly to the development of police ranks and consequently a better delivery of quality service through assistance with enhancing crime- fighting involving the use of technology.

Through the collaborative efforts of the Police Force and the Zara Reality Group of Companies, the first spanking new state-of-the-art Information Technology Training Centre was established on June 2, 2012, at the Felix Austin Police College (FAPC), at Adventure, Corentyne, Berbice, with a total of thirty one (31) computers and an LCD Projector.

The second such centre was established on June 8, 2013, at the Richard Faikall Police College at Suddie, Essequibo Coast, comprising thirty-six (36) computers.

The other Police/Zara Computer Centre was subsequently established at the Police Officers’ Training Centre, Camp Road, Georgetown, on November 30, 2013, with a further thirty (30) computers. The IT Training facility was complemented by a library.

The Police/Zara Computer Centres fall under the direct responsibility of Superintendent Shivpersaud Bacchus, who has benefited from Information Technology training in India through the ITEC Programme, and other IT programmes overseas and was recognised as the Police Force’s Best Cop 2015 in view of his excellent work in designing, developing and delivering IT Training.

Training Programmes conducted at the Police/Zara Computer Centres include Introduction to Computers, Microsoft Windows Operating System, Office Suite, Microsoft Foundation and Advance Levels, PC Repairs, Networking and Network Security, CXC Information Technology and Electronic Document Preparation and Management.

The training programmes available at the Police/Zara Computer Centres are not limited to police ranks, but are being extended to members of the public at no cost. Consequently, over the years a total of two thousand six hundred and sixty nine (2,669) persons attached to several government ministries and other departments, the Joint Services, Students, Teachers,Nurses, Police Scouts and Youth Groups, Community Policing Groups and Neighbourhood Policing have benefited from training at the institutions.

The Zara Reality Group of Companies has also boosted the IT capability of the Criminal Investigation Department Headquarters through the donation of a LENOVER Server, 12 computers and other office equipment in order to assist with its Electronic Database Filing System.

During the Guyana Police Force’s Awards and Incentives Ceremony held in December last year, the Zara Reality Group of Companies was awarded a Plaque in recognition of their unstinting support to the Police Force in the area of Information Technology.

Information Technology is an integral part of the Guyana Police Force’s modernisation and strategic development. Its continuing enhancement has created technological innovations that have served as catalysts for significant change in the delivery of quality service to the public and in the maintenance of its mandate as is evidenced within the Criminal Investigation Department and other branches and divisions of the Police Force.