Written by Leroy Smith
POLICE Commissioner Leroy Brumell says that persons who are being selected to serve on the SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) team of the Guyana Police Force are all serving members of the organisation and are being taken through their paces by Deputy Commissioner and Crime Chief Seelall Persaud.

The police commissioner made it clear that the SWAT Unit will not bear a resemblance to the Black Clothes police disbanded years ago.
The Top Cop was at the time speaking during an invited comment by members of the media following his swearing-in as commissioner of police yesterday at the Office of the President. Brumell said that the persons short-listed for the SWAT Unit are being exposed to intense training.
Asked about the selection process, he said that the considerations were the quality of their service upon joining the Police Force and their abilities as they relate to policing and their dealings with persons.  He said that there is no timeframe just yet with respect to setting up and implementing the new unit.
However, the systems are being put in place by the Guyana Police Force and there is no indication that persons outside of the force will be called upon to serve the new unit.
Meanwhile, on Sunday evening following a political rally at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee was asked about the SWAT Unit and the concerns being raised about its formation.
He was reminded of concerns of Leader of the parliamentary Opposition, David Granger that the SWAT Unit is a return of the ‘Black Clothes’.
Rohee said that the perception of the SWAT Unit being a return of the ‘Black Clothes’ is ridiculous. He said that the administration will not take the Opposition seriously in questioning whether the SWAT Unit is necessary.
He said that the questioning by the Opposition of the decision is welcome, but the manner in which the questions are being raised reflects the static position of negativity on the part of the Opposition.
“We are pushing ahead and we are committed to its establishment since the promise was made to the Guyanese people since 2011 and the administration is working towards it.”
The home affairs minister said that it is very surprising and shameful that one would have to hear the debate on the SWAT Unit coming from educated people who are expected to be fully aware of the benefits of such a unit.