The first of a number of training programmes facilitated by the British High Commission through the United Kingdom-funded Guyana Security Sector Reform Action Plan (GSSRAP) ended yesterday with 26 ranks completing the course.
Participants for the seminar were drawn from the Guyana Police Force Operations Room at Brickdam, B Division – Berbice, C Division – East Coast, D Division – West Demerara, E Division – Linden, G Division – Essequibo and the Force Control Unit – Eve Leary.
The course was organized by the British High Commission and in a press release yesterday, the commission said that in addition to the training, the units were also provided with communications equipment to enhance their operations. “Computers are being installed at the Brickdam Operations Room and very soon it is envisaged that a public education campaign will be launched to educate persons on the importance of the 911 police emergency telephone number”, the release stated.
It quoted Deputy High Commissioner Malcolm Kirk, in his address to the ranks as saying that “what you are doing is a vitally important job. You are the interface between the Police Force and the public”. He noted that the training was the culmination of efforts by the British High Commission and the Guyana Government to implement recommendations outlined in the GSSRAP. According to Kirk, the training session will not be the end of the process but at sometime in the future an assessment will be made to determine whether the training had ‘taken root’. The training was facilitated by Tod O’Brien, a consultant from the National Policing Improvement Agency who in his parting words to the participants reminded them that the only thing standing between them and greatness was “themselves.”
Also present for the closing was Commander of A Division, Assistant Commissioner Welton Trotz who expressed appreciation on behalf of the entire Police Force for the training and equipment provided. He said efforts would be made to bring the other divisions on par with the Brickdam station. He reminded the participants that they are there to serve the public and when persons call they expect help and advice. “You have been trained and you are able to respond,” the release quoted him as stating.
“It was noted that many ‘crank’ calls are placed by persons to the 911 number and according to the Assistant Commissioner legislation will soon be tabled in the National Assembly to address this”, the release stated.
