AFTER successfully completing a six-month course, 29 persons have graduated from the internationally recognised elementary prosecutors training course offered by the Nations School of Law.

During the simple ceremony held at school’s New Market Street location, two Assistant Superintendents of Police, three Sergeants, seven Corporals, three Lance Corporals, 12 Constables and two employees of the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department graduated.

The course, which is the first of its kind, was a collaborative effort between the Guyana Police Force and Nations School. The ranks were selected from various divisions, based on their outstanding performances.

As part of their international certified courses, the participants were exposed to Basic English training, Trafficking in Person (TIP) seminars, and gender-based violence, among other courses.

The programme was designed to equip the ranks with the necessary skill-set to become prosecutors within the local Magistrates’ Courts.

While delivering the feature address, Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, S.C., congratulated the graduates on pursuing their legal dreams.

“Your Rule of Law is the foundation upon which modern society rests. You all are aware of the transformational economic, social, commercial, and other changes taking place in our country, but none of it is possible, and will be possible unless we have Law and Order prevailing in this society; unless the Rule of Law is respected; unless there is public order, or unless we have a legal system that delivers justice to our people in accordance with the law,” he said.

According to AG Nandlall, no matter what advancement is made in a country, there must be corresponding and commensurate advancement in the justice and legal sector which delivers fair and transparent justice according to the law.

He further highlighted that access to justice is the foundation of a democratic nation, and the hallmark of modern civilisation. He reminded those gathered of the Constitution, which speaks of the State not denying anyone equality and equal protection and benefit of the law.

The Attorney-General added that just like the right to life and healthcare, access to justice must be an inalienable right of the citizens.

Additionally, he explained that currently, several courts are either under construction or being renovated, which will aid in the delivery of justice across the country.

He pointed out that there has been continuous training at every level of the legal sector, especially in the law enforcement and prosecutorial arm of the justice system.

“For example, we have ongoing training on arbitration, a new concept that we are going to inject in the most modern possible way into our legal system, because the exigencies of a developing commercial environment in Guyana, requires that as an important component of the settlement of disputes in the commercial organisation,” he said.

Additionally, Nandlall disclosed that next month, Guyana, in collaboration with the government of the United States of America will commence training in relation to addressing the issue of proceeds from crime.

“You are ministers of justice; you are not to be concerned about winning. Your job is to present the evidence available; if you don’t have the evidence, then you don’t have the ability. You are not to fabricate and concoct; you have a serious responsibility as a minister of justice,” the Minister told the graduates.

He underscored that over 80 per cent of the court matters are being dealt with in the Magistrate’s Court, which the new graduates will have to deal with.

“We must allow the systems to work; it is imperative that we inspire the public with confidence that the legal system will protect their interest in accordance with the law…And when we are able to do that, we would have been discharging our constitutional duty and role as the legal system and as components of that legal system,” he added.

Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner of Police Calvin Brutus told the police officers that the GPF will sponsor their studies if they decide to pursue the LLB programme at the University of London.

Additionally, Brutus, that there is currently a second batch of prosecutors in training, and the Force will continue to run an annual six-month programme at the Nations School of Law for the next five years