Assistant Commissioner of Police Maxine Graham on Friday urged 84 new police officers not to forget the rules they were taught or the oaths they have taken as they embark on careers in the force.
“… From this point forward because until the day you retire, you will be in the public eye,” Graham said. “You have passed all your evaluations, you survived the physical and mental training of the college, you sacrifice a lot during the last four months and you successively arrived at this moment in your life, you have worked diligently and today you are preparing to embark on your new journey.” She reminded them to avoid any embarrassment since, as of now, every action they take will be subject to intense scrutiny.
She was at the time delivering the feature address at a passing out parade held at the Felix Austin Police College, Eve Leary, for graduates of recruit courses 351, 352 and 353.
Graham, the highest ranking policewoman in the Guyana Police Force, told the new police officers to always let “professionalism, integrity, courtesy, discipline, honesty, focus and alertness” be their motivations during their time in the force. “Remember this is not a job; it’s a career. It is your responsibility to protect and serve your country,” she told them, while urging that they never take actions based on their emotions. “What you do will have a lifelong consequence to the citizens, never allow a victim to be victimized a second time,” she further said.
Graham also warned against complacency. “Do not ever become complacent. Read the standing and force orders, this is the force’s backbone and that is what you have to guide you through your life’s journey,” she said as she explained that law enforcement is a skill which must be frequently cultivated. “You must always have an inquisitive mind, you must be suspicious and you must also be thorough,” she added.
The training of the ranks began on October 10, 2016. From that time, they were exposed to basic and essential principles of policing practices and procedures, physical exercise, and self-defence tactics, as well as tutorials on various topics, including crime, traffic, domestic violence and anger management.
They also visited the Georgetown Public Hospital Mortuary, where they were taught how to identify a deceased person and to understand the determination of the cause of death. They also observed court proceedings at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, among other things.
Prizes were awarded to the outstanding graduates in each course. For recruit course 351, Constable 23974 Downer received the award for Best Student, while the runner-up was Constable 23967 Browne. The prize for Most Improved Student was awarded to Constable 24074 Clement.
For recruit course 352, Constable 23999 Lacon received the Best Student award and the runner-up was Constable 23990 Hector. Constable 24002 Lindie was Most Improved Student.
And for recruit course 353, the Best Student award was given to Constable 24033 Bess, while the runner-up was Constable 24023 Smith and the Most Improved Student was Woman Constable 24013 Profitt.
