IN a thrilling display of intellectual prowess and oratorical finesse, two formidable teams faced off in the final round of the Guyana Police Force’s Justice Horace Mitchell Debate Competition on Saturday night at the Police Officers’ Mess Annexe, Eve Leary, Georgetown.

The competition saw the sharp-witted and eloquent Regional Division 4’C debaters defeating their equally talented counterparts from Traffic Headquarters.
The debate topic was “Drinking and Driving: Police presence outside of entertainment hotspots such as bars, restaurants, hotels, etc., in every Region increases the police ability to prevent incidents of drunk driving and decrease fatal accidents.”

The Traffic Headquarters team, led by Corporal Timothy Roberts, Woman Constable Luckie Providence, and Constable Alex McPherson, argued passionately for the implementation of increased police presence in entertainment hotspots to combat the scourge of drunk driving.

In a brilliant display of logical reasoning, the Regional Division 4’C’ team, led by sharp-witted Woman Sergeant Oxana Johnson, Woman Corporal Makisha Jordan, and Constable Kenrick Philips, presented a compelling case against the proposition.

They argued that such a measure would be an ineffective and heavy-handed approach and reasoned that a more holistic and comprehensive community-based solution was needed to address the root causes of drunk driving.

As the debate progressed, the teams engaged in a thrilling rebuttal round, where they skillfully dismantled each other’s arguments and presented counter-arguments that left the audience on the edge of their seats.
However, Woman Corporal Makisha Jordan of Region 4’C’, with her quick wit and sharp analysis, managed to poke holes in Traffic Headquarters’ proposing arguments, allowing her team to emerge victorious. Constable Kenrick Philips was also awarded the ‘Best Speaker’ accolade.

The debate competition served as a testament to the intellectual prowess of members of the Guyana Police Force and the importance of fostering an environment that encourages the free exchange of ideas and the pursuit of knowledge. It also highlighted the critical role that law enforcement plays in addressing the complex issue of drunk driving and the need for a multifaceted approach that combines enforcement, education, and community engagement.

The debate was judged by a distinguished panel of judges with impressive academic backgrounds, including Dr Dexter Philips, PhD, EdD, MBA, CSML; Ms Ashme Singh, LL.B, ACCA, LL.M, and Mr Chevy Devonish, LL.B, BSc.

Among those in the audience were the Commissioner of Police, Mr Clifton Hicken; Deputy Commissioner ‘Administration’ Mr. Ravindradat Budhram; Head of Operations, Assistant Commissioner Errol Watts; Head SOCU, Assistant Commissioner Fazil Karimbaksh; Commander Region 4’A’, Assistant Commissioner Simon McBean; Commander Region #5, Assistant Commissioner Kurleigh Simon; Commander Region #6, Senior Superintendent Shivpersaud Bacchus; Traffic Chief, Senior Superintendent Mahendra Singh; Commander Region #1, Senior Superintendent Himnauth Sawh; Commander Region #8, Senior Superintendent Khalid Mandall; Commander Region 4’B’, Superintendent Krishna Ramana; Commander Region #2, Superintendent Khemraj Shivbarran; Head of the I.T. Department, Senior Superintendent Jermaine Johnson along with other senior and junior members of the Force and special invitees.

Impressed by the level of competition, Commissioner Hicken commended the members of the teams for their efforts, noting that they would have performed their duties and still found time to do research.
During his brief address, the Top Cop also announced that the debate competition would be held quarterly instead of yearly, from the level of Constable to Superintendent.

He noted that this would build the capacity of members within the organisation and improve their public speaking skills, which is important for policemen and women when they interact with members of the public. (GPF)