– GPF, UG partnership aims at specialised law enforcement classes

A FOREIGN language training curriculum covering Spanish, Portuguese, and Mandarin, designed for members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), was launched on Monday, in partnership with the University of Guyana (UG), under the ‘Security Specific Language Programme’.

The partnership was launched during a simple ceremony at the Officers’ Training Centre, Camp Road, Georgetown.

Forty-five members from the rank of Sergeants to Constables, of the various divisions and sections of the Force, were selected as the first batch of participants to be a part of the programme.

The programme aims to enhance the police’s ability to grasp and understand the languages that will be taught from the beginner’s level to a more advanced level.

Dean of the Faculty of Education and Humanities at UG, Dr. Roslin Khan, who was present at the ceremony, explained that the programme is at the same level that is currently being offered at the University of Guyana.

The Dean noted that the training would focus primarily on three foreign languages: Spanish, Portuguese and Mandarin.

While the courses will have the same grammar structure as those done at the University, the contents and vocabulary are specialised for law enforcement personnel in Guyana.

Dr. Khan further noted that the participants would be assessed throughout the training, and, upon completion, they should be able to read, write and speak in the various languages.

Each language course is expected to be eight weeks in duration, with participants attending five days a week for three hours daily, and classes will be conducted by Mr. Gudelio Tabares Sierra (Spanish), Mr. Menga Thomas (Portuguese), and Mr. Zhang Peng (Mandarin).

Deputy Commissioner ‘Administration’, Calvin Brutus, who addressed the participants virtually, highlighted the importance of language training in the course of core policing functions of safety and security.

He noted that this especially applies to ranks who conduct anti-crime patrols, traffic ranks, and those at the inquiries office, who are the first line on contact with members of the public.

Brutus also referred to the increasing number of persons who speak foreign languages that these ranks encounter daily in Guyana.

“While the languages being taught will be at a beginner’s level, they will provide the participants with the necessary language skills to interact with foreigners,” Mr. Brutus said as he further highlighted that once participants are successful in the first phase they will be afforded the opportunity to move to the next level.

“The Guyana Police Force intends to have the successful participants go on to the intermediary and eventually the advanced level in these foreign language courses,” Brutus added.