THIRTY-FIVE ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) recently completed a continuous professional development course at Nations University, in order to perform efficiently and effectively towards providing a higher level of service.
The ranks ranged from Sergeant to Assistant Superintendent.

Acting Force Training Officer, Assistant Commissioner, Maxine Graham said the extent to which the objectives of the Guyana Police Force are attainable depends heavily on the level of efficiency and the effectiveness of its officers.
“Once trained, officers need to be exposed to a range of continuous professional development experiences that can serve to broaden their scope, keep them abreast of innovative and contemporary law enforcement process, procedures and build all-round capacity,” Graham explained.

The Assistant Commissioner said the course was specifically designed to target the needs of the officers in an effort to improve the quality of their professional practice.
She noted that the course will provide highly relevant and practical experiences. “They are all structured to provide a foundation for further specialisation and related developmental experiences.”

The acting Force Training Officer noted that each participant would receive a certificate upon completion and resource materials that will facilitate follow-up opportunities.
Force Press Officer, Superintendent, Jairam Ramlakhan, said the business of policing had become ever more complex and challenging over recent decades, and the indications were that those patterns of increased demands for services and expectations as to what will be delivered would continue to grow.

He explained that as organised crime operations relating to narcotics, illegal firearms, trafficking of people, cybercrime and money laundering become even more sophisticated, members of the Guyana Police Force must also upgrade their skills.

Adding, that there was a growing demand that policing should be more pro-active both in preventing and deterring crimes, Ramlakhan said, ranks with a desire to serve all communities would be vital for the Police Force and continued training for staff was essential.

“We must endeavour to ensure that members of the Force are part of a forward thinking organisation. We need to update our skillset so that we can respond to change and new challenges effectively for the people of Guyana. Police ranks must understand how modern policing is developing, how this is relevant and applicable to our every-day duties and how training is accessible and available,” the Superintendent said.