THE second phase of a nationwide internal security training programme was officially launched on Tuesday at the Officers’ Training Centre, Eve Leary, with high-ranking representatives from across the Joint Services in attendance.

The Command Post Exercise (CPX), a key component of the programme, is designed to enhance coordination, operational readiness, and preparedness across Guyana’s security forces ahead of the upcoming General and Regional Elections, scheduled for September 1, 2025.

Deputy Commissioner of Police and Training Coordinator, Simon McBean, formally welcomed the participants drawn from the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Fire Service, and the Guyana Prison Service. He highlighted that since April 8, over 800 ranks from all 10 administrative regions have participated in intensive theoretical sessions covering topics such as civil unrest, cyber threats, and other real-world security scenarios.

These sessions are now being transitioned into practical exercises aimed at simulating coordinated responses to national threats. McBean emphasised the importance of professionalism, inter-agency collaboration, and strategic planning—not just for election preparedness, but for long-term internal security stability.
“The focus is not solely on the elections,” McBean stated. “This exercise reinforces discipline, fosters teamwork, and builds the foundations for stronger internal security mechanisms moving forward.”
Chairman of the Joint Services Training Committee, Kevin Pilgrim, Assistant Director of Prisons, reaffirmed the CPX’s role in refining joint operational capabilities. He stressed the importance of calm and coordinated responses in order to maintain public trust and confidence.

Also addressing the participants, Deputy Commissioner of Administration, Ravindradat Budhram, called for the sustained transfer of knowledge across units. He encouraged participants to share lessons learned in order to foster resilience and continuity within their respective agencies.

Contributions were also made by Divisional Officer of the Guyana Fire Service, Andrew Holder, who discussed the Fire Service’s role in regional emergency response, and Captain Vernon Burnette of the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard, who underscored the wider national stability objectives of the CPX initiative.
Tuesday’s launch saw the presence of commanding officers and ranks from the four main operational arms of Guyana’s Joint Services, marking a significant step in synchronising efforts to ensure a secure, peaceful, and well-coordinated electoral environment.