THE Guyana Association of Women Police held a grand parade on Friday morning which saw the attendance of hundreds of persons including senior and junior officers of the Guyana Police Force, along with a delegation from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service led by Assistant Commissioner Patsy Joseph.

The women turned out in their numbers, smartly dressed to celebrate their place in the Guyana Police Force. The contingent of five platoons comprising of female ranks from the Guyana Association of Women Police, the Special Constabulary, Felix Austin Police College, Police Divisions (A-G) and the foreign delegates, who travelled to celebrate this milestone with their Guyanese counterparts.

The parade marked the observance of the sixth Anniversary of the Guyana Association of Women Police which commenced at the National Park, Carifesta Avenue and traversed onto Young Street where the Commissioner of Police Leslie James, flanked by his deputies took the “Eyes-Right” and proceeded to the Officers Mess Annex where the annual Church Service begun under the theme “Women Embracing Positive Change in Law Enforcement”.

The celebration continued as the women invited God into their presence with a heart-warming opening prayer by Women Inspector Marcia Sealey. Thereafter the programme got underway with a pleasant welcome by Women Superintendent Charmine Stuart who paid homage to the women who laid the foundation for the association to be formulated. They also paid homage to those exceptional women who broke through the glass ceiling with their outstanding achievements in the Guyana Police Force.

Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources Simona Broomes, Deputy Commissioner Maxine Graham, President of the Association, and other ranks of the Guyana Police Force withal the foreign delegates and their leader Assistant Commissioner Patsy Joseph, were all among the packed audience of this humbled ceremony.

Scriptures taken from Luke 1:35-38 and 1:39-45 were read by Women Inspector Shevon Jupiter and Women Constable 25056 Mars, respectively followed by hymns and instrumentals by the women of the police band.

Woman Sergeant Mitchell Calder delivered an inspirational message urging the women police to stand up and be counted and also to stay strong and be a guiding light for not only police women but for all women.
The program then concluded with a closing prayer, followed by the National Anthem.