By Gabriella Chapman

THE Miss Guyana Police Force pageant came back with a bang, after 30 years, on Friday evening at the National Cultural Centre, as the 10 divisional queens competed, neck to neck, for the ultimate title, in front of a packed auditorium.

In the end, it was 23-year-old Keaisha Erskine who from the beginning won the hearts of patrons and the judges, outshining her nine competitors.
Erskine, who hails from the mining town of Linden, is a detective constable attached to ‘E’ Division of the Guyana Police Force.

The venue was flooded with screams and cheers as Erskine’s name was called as the winner for several special prizes: the People’s Choice Award; Miss Tactical; Best in swimwear; Best in work attire and Best evening wear, are the prizes with which the young officer walked away, in addition to the crown and title.

The nine other queens who are all police officers also, were: Toni Bentley of ‘F’ Division (interior locations); Kerrianne Clarke of ‘G’ Division (Essequibo); Ahsley Peters of ‘C’ Division (East Coast Demerara); Tonya Clarke of the Special Constabulary; Temeka Rodrigues of the Presidential Guard; Tanya Wilson of ‘A’ Division (Georgetown/East Bank Demerara); Althea Gittens of ‘D’ Division (West Demerara); Joanna Wright of ‘B’ Division (Berbice); and Tavia Bookie of headquarters.

Best Introduction went to Rodrigues; Best in sportswear went to Gittens; Best Interview and Best Smile went to Wilson.
As with every pageant, these queens championed different social issues in Guyana as their platforms.

The platforms for which they advocated change were cyberbullying; suicide; human trafficking; domestic violence; cancer awareness; sexual harassment in the workplace; HIV/AIDS awareness; drugs and substance abuse; youth empowerment; and teenage pregnancy.

This segment of the pageant was said to be a major part of the scoring, as they were expected to show how they, as policewomen, can use their influence to help stamp out those societal ills and bring awareness to the ones that can be alleviated.

The queen’s platform was suicide. When asked by the judges what approaches she will take to prevent suicide, Erskine said she will reach as many persons as possible, and bring awareness in addition to creating activities so that suicide will be a thing of the past.

Deputy Commissioner (Operations), Maxine Graham, coordinator of the pageant, said the event was part of the force’s activities many years ago, and there were many attempts over the years to bring it back.

This year, through extra efforts, the dream was accomplished. It happened at a time when the force is celebrating its 180th anniversary.

The Guyana Police Force fageant was first held in 1972 and the last in 1989.
Graham had taken part in the last pageant and won the Best Smile Award. She currently serves as President of the Guyana Association of Women Police under whose umbrella the pageant is being coordinated.

The pageant was also used to highlight the many talented officers of the Force. In between segments of the pageant, the audience was entertained by the Guyana Police Force String Band, Constable Michael Small; Lance Corporal Mickael Sam; Lance Corporal Jamal Stuart; Corporal Colwyn Murray; and Lance Corporal Osbert Cain.

The pageant also sought to sensitise persons on the many arms of the force. These segments of the force were proudly displayed by the contestants.