FOURTEEN junior ranks of Regional Division #3 of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and two Neighbourhood Police ranks have graduated from a three-week elementary prosecutors training course.
The course commenced on October 22 with the aim of providing participants with practical knowledge about the role of the prosecutor in court cases.
The ranks were drawn from various stations within the division.

They received training in the procedure for a summary trial, evidence intake, cross examination, re-examination, direct and circumstantial evidence and the judges’ rules.
Additionally, the application of the Narcotics Act, amendments, the hearsay rule, competence and accountability of a witness, duplicity, simple larceny, robbery, human trafficking and evidence, and the courtroom procedure were included in the training course.
Ranks benefited from special lectures done by Senior Magistrate Zamilla Ally and Divisional Commander, Senior Superintendent Errol Watts. Watts’s presentation centred on “What is expected of a prosecutor” and “Ethics and role of the prosecutor respectively.”

Watts hailed the initiative a success and stated that it would allow for the provision of a higher quality of service to the public.
He disclosed that a shortcoming in the delivery of service to members of the public has pushed the division to implement several systems.
“We have taken a very strong position to ensure that as far as possible we address the lack in our service delivery. I am very confident that with the training of these 16 ranks on the procedures and the preparation of these cases at stations, we will see an enhanced performance of the police which will replicate itself in society where more law and order will be ensured,” Watts stated.
He added that the training would ensure that all persons who have interactions with the law have access to their rights and that ranks are equipped with the requisite knowledge to accurately present evidence.

“As long as we enter court and we present our case it’s not for us to want a conviction; that’s not our job, that’s a job for the court … Our job is to ensure that we present the evidence in a very professorial and efficient way, presenting the facts to convince the magistrate that the decision should be in our favour,” he explained.
According to the commander, the participants were required to successful complete an examination in order to graduate.

Lance Corporal David Gaul, who was adjudged the top student, lauded the initiative stating that it was much needed and would assist the ranks to better handle legal proceedings.
He stated that ranks will be working on several aspects of their policing as part of efforts to provide a more efficient service to the public.

He further stated that the course provided them with an opportunity to widen their knowledge of criminal evidence and the admissibility of evidence in criminal proceedings.
“From the classroom interactions and the discussions it was evident that none of the participants would leave the course with the same level of knowledge that they had prior to coming to the course. With this experience it is clear that learning has taken place and that the objectives of this course [have] been achieved. I am happy to have been a part of this training,” stated Gaul.

The division has planned several other training initiatives to boost their service delivery to the public. Watts informed the Guyana Chronicle that several of these will be rolled out this month.