–to law enforcement-led Career Day Fair

HUNDREDS of youths turned out to the Career Day Fair hosted on Saturday at Anna Regina, on the Essequibo Coast.

The event, which was held at Damon Square, attracted well over a dozen government agencies and several private sector entities, all of which presented job opportunities to the many unemployed Essequibians.

Regional Chairman, Mr Devanand Ramdatt, praised the initiative, which was organised by Divisional Commander, Senior Superintendent of Police, Stephen Mansell.

Commander Mansell used the occasion to encourage the young adults to take advantage of the opportunity, since being gainfully employed can create many avenues for further development in life.

Among public sector agencies at the Fair were: The Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission; the Guyana Forestry Commission; the Guyana Energy Agency; the Ministry of Public Health and Ministry of Education; Republic Bank; the Guyana Elections Commission; and the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Fire Service.

According to the commander, there are a number of ways law enforcement officers actively give back to their communities, the most successful of which involve interaction with the people therein.

Said he: “Youths are one of the most at-risk groups there is when it comes to crimes committed against people. Whether they witness or experience violence, it has a lasting effect on them. If their interaction with the police under these traumatic circumstances is not positive, they run the risk of developing a lifelong distrust of the police.

“There are numerous programmes and training opportunities for children, parents and educators to prevent and curb violence against children. Interaction with law enforcement in these safe environments often serves as a beginning to developing this lasting trust.”

Of course, the goal, he said, is for these youths to grow up to be productive individuals in their communities, and to continue to help foster positive relationships between their communities and law enforcement.