TWENTY-SEVEN new constables from Region Nine were welcomed into the ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Friday at the Officers’ Training Centre Headquarters, Eve Leary.

The ranks are the successful graduates of Recruit Course 387 and will be placed in departments such as Immigration, Criminal Investigations Department (CID), and General Duties, the force said on its Facebook page.

The Commissioner of Police (ag), Clifton Hicken, in his feature address congratulated all of the ranks and applauded them for overcoming the physical and mental fatigue while becoming policemen in the noble organisation.

He told them they must now take on challenges as policemen and policewomen and urged them to remain committed to the “Service and Protection” motto of the force.

“So, you are integrated into the Guyana Police Force and you are the catalyst-for- change group. It is expected that you act and operate as ambassadors of the Guyana Police Force, irrespective of the region [where] you are placed…you understand the culture, you understand the dialect and you understand the way things are being conducted in that area. You are now policewomen and women,” Hicken was quoted as saying.

He noted that the months the recruits spent in training helped them to understand each other’s culture, while sharing values.

“You are leaving to return to your areas of responsibility with a new sense of value and increased knowledge, but more importantly, focusing on a safer community for your family and friends and generally the population of Region Nine. You are the faces of the force, you are the broader side of the pyramid,” the “Top Cop” told them, as he related how pleased he was when it came to their academic performances.

Along that line, he noted that the GPF intends to further build a force that is representative of the citizens of Guyana.

“Your duty is not to escalate any situation but rather de-escalate that issue. You should create an atmosphere where you are well respected in your communities, you are to create an atmosphere where you assume leadership,” Commissioner Hicken stated.

With this, he said that the new contemporary police force must be evidence-based if it is to transition from a Guyana Police Force to a Guyana Police Service.

He also charged them to “make the Guyana Police Force proud, make the Guyana Police Force contemporary; lift the standards in the way you interact with the general public, and maintain that level of professionalism in and out of uniform.”

Further, he said: “You decide your journey in the organisation as an individual. So, whatever you do you will be judged. We prepared you adequately with the tools you need to use to get the job done. It is now your responsibility to identify the tools needed to perform your specific roles.”

Meanwhile, Calvin Brutus, Deputy Commissioner ‘Administration’ (ag), reminded the newly appointed constables that conduct will follow them throughout their careers. He also noted that they should avoid being on the wrong side of the law.

“…now you will be viewing the community and society through the eyes of law enforcement …with keen eyes to maintain and build partnerships already established by the police force. So, strive to ensure that you maintain law and order to meet the mandate of the organisation and your communities as well,” he posited.

“Persons will be looking at you for advice, for guidance relating to law- enforcement issues. Your five months at the training facility is just a starting point to which you are going to use to continue building as you go along,” he added.

According to the Facebook post, Brutus further encouraged the new policemen and women to build their confidence with members of the public which would aid in bridging the gap between the force and the Guyanese populace.

“A better-trained staff would make a better organisation. You are front-line members of this noble profession. The job is a rewarding one, so pay attention to the developmental programmes that will be available to you,” he stated.