THE conclusion of a five-day joint programme between the Ministry of Public Service and the Guyana Police Force (GPF), on Friday, saw 17 police ranks from the GPF’s Presidential Guard Unit receiving certification in Customer Service Delivery.

The customised programme lasted five days, and saw ranks covering various aspects of Customer Service Delivery, including Conflict Resolution, Professionalism and Ethics, Team Building, Personality and Image, and Stress Management.

The graduation ceremony, which was held at the Police Officers’ Training Complex on Camp Road, Georgetown, was attended by Commander of Police Division 4 ‘A’, Assistant Commissioner Simon McBean; Force Training Officer, Superintendent Shivpersaud Bacchus; Head of the GPF’s Corporate Communications Unit, Mark Ramotar; and Manager of Development and Operations Unit of the Ministry of Public Service, Cornelly Walcott-Ramdeen, along with her team.

Delivering closing remarks to the graduating ranks, Ramotar urged graduating ranks to use their training in order to foster and strengthen better relationships, not only with the public, but in the workplace. He noted that the Presidential Guard Unit is of great importance to the Guyana Police Force, as it is primarily responsible for the security of both the President and Prime Minister.

He described the unit as a generally vibrant and buoyant one, adding that it was unique, in the sense that there was a certain prestige and pride, not to mention a host of opportunities, given to those working as Presidential Guards.

Alluding to the old proverb that, “the mind is an excellent servant, but a terrible master”, Ramotar reminded ranks that their line of work constantly required them to have the right mind-set to perform their duties effectively.

“You are all professionals, and you might be placed in situations where you have to react and make quick decisions…you will have to perform your sensitive duties with precision, efficiency and a high sense of professionalism…this all comes back to having the right mind-set,” he stated.

In concluding, he urged the graduating class, “take whatever training you would have received here and replicate that in your line of work. There is no room for error…if you do err, make sure that you err in the direction of service and protection, courtesy and professionalism. I wish you well, congratulations!”

Training Officer of the GPF, Superintendent Shivpersaud Bacchus, reiterated to the ranks that customer care describes how people are treated when they interact with a brand, and charged them to be good ambassadors of the Guyana Police Force, and to use their newly-acquired knowledge in attaining such.