The Embassy of the French Republic in Suriname collaborated with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to offer a one-week training programme on techniques for investigation of drug trafficking to twenty-three ranks of the GPF.
A release yesterday from the GPF said that the training programme from October 28 to November 1, 2013, at the Police Officers’ Training Centre, Eve Leary, was facilitated by expert trainers including a psychologist from the French Inter-Ministerial Centre for Anti-Drug
Training (CIFAD) based in Martinique.
This was the second training programme conducted by CIFAD to improve the skill and knowledge of GPF ranks. The previous course took place in January 2013 and focused on crime scene investigation.
In brief remarks at the closing ceremony, the Police Liaison Officer to the French Embassy in Suriname, Jean Yves Le Clech, responsible for both Suriname and Guyana, stated that the training programme was proof of continued police cooperation between France and Guyana, in the light of common policing problems of drug trafficking, illegal immigration and cross-border criminality within Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana.
Le Clech also emphasised that the focus during the training on the ability to conduct effective interviews was very essential, since while investigations at crime scenes may uncover evidence such as fingerprints, the proper interviewing of suspects may reveal extremely vital information for ongoing investigations.
Senior Superintendent Leslie James, representing the GPF, expressed appreciation for the commitment shown by the French authorities in assisting the Force in its capacity building of personnel and indicated that the GPF looks forward to continued cooperation.
He also said that the programme would complement the GPF’s modernisation programme in terms of staff development.
He urged ranks to put the knowledge gained to maximum use in order to enhance their investigative skills and ability.
Participating ranks were presented with certificates.
CIFAD was established in 1992 to conduct training within the Caribbean, and Latin America, the release added.
