The Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Ministry of Labour’s Board of Industrial Training (BIT) are to collaborate on training of youths.
A Memorandum of Agreement to this effect was signed on Tuesday, according to a release from the GPF.
The police will be the key stakeholder to identify communities in consultation with parents/guardians thereby delivering training opportunities that will empower youths and aid in their positive transformation, the release said.
“The fact that the police are closer to communities, we will want the police to point us to communities in an effort to develop young people so that the Board of Industrial Training can intervene to have positive outcomes in those communities. I don’t know of any other entity that is closer to the communities and people with social issues like the Police Force,” Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton posited.
Meanwhile, acting Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken, in his remarks said that the force is fully committed to engage and partner with communities across Guyana, especially as it relates to youth development and empowerment.
“Now that I am at the helm of the Force, all ranks will be tasked with rebuilding and strengthening that commitment with the communities,” Hicken declared.
Hicken stated that the force has established a Community Relations Department expected to work hand-in-hand with all police commanders in addressing requests made by the various regions looking to collaborate with the Ministry of Labour to facilitate youth involvement.
The signing of the documents was done at the Ministry of Labour’s boardroom at Brickdam, by Minister of Labour, Hamilton; Commissioner of Police (ag), Hicken; Deputy Commissioner ‘Administration’ (ag), Calvin Brutus; and CEO of the Board of Industrial Training, Richard Maughn.
