THE United States Embassy in Georgetown, together with the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) and Guyana Police Force (GPF), has announced the successful accreditation of three GPF training centres, located in Suddie, Essequibo; Adventure, Berbice; and Georgetown.
This momentous achievement was formally recognised, on Tuesday, at the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (IADLEST) conference, currently taking place in Phoenix, Arizona.
The IADLEST is globally recognised for its commitment to enhancing law enforcement service standards through certification, setting a benchmark for training excellence.
The accreditation is a key component of the Caribbean Police Professionalisation Project, funded by the US Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), and implemented by PADF since 2021.
Concluding in June 2024, the project has significantly elevated law enforcement training within the region.
A pivotal element of this success was a study tour that PADF facilitated to the Idaho Police Officers Standards and Training Academy in Boise, Idaho.
The academy shared best practices in international law enforcement training standards with the GPF team and directly influenced the efficient and successful accreditation process.
The accreditation process involved a rigorous self-assessment, detailed online verification, and a comprehensive physical evaluation by IADLEST, ensuring compliance with the highest international standards.
The local accreditation team was led by Superintendent Nicola Kendall, with oversight from Acting Deputy Commissioner Calvin Brutus and substantial contributions from Superintendent Sonia Herbert, the Force Training Officer and head of the training centres, and Assistant Superintendent Gladwin Hanover, who manages the ZARA Computer Centres across Guyana.
All of these members of the GPF played pivotal roles to reaching today’s success. Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken noted, “This accomplishment is a major milestone in the implementation of the GPF’s 2022-2026 Strategic Plan.”
A ceremony at the IADLEST conference celebrated the successful accreditation and Guyanese officials received three training centre accreditation certificates, setting a new standard for law enforcement training excellence in the Caribbean.
Looking forward, the United States and PADF continue to support development and capacity building in Caribbean policing through the Better Police Readiness in Caribbean Law Enforcement Organisations (B-PRO) project, currently being implemented in Guyana. This new initiative, also funded by INL, aims to enhance law enforcement professionalism and operational effectiveness in Guyana and across the region.