The Guyana Police Force (GPF) can expect to have its crime-fighting capabilities bolstered with the recent graduation of more than 50 ranks who on Monday, successfully completed the Criminal Investigation Department’s Induction course, a GPF release announced yesterday.
The participants were presented with certificates and special awards at a small graduation ceremony held at the Officers’ Training Centre, Camp Road, Georgetown.
Those present at the ceremony included Deputy Commissioner -Law Enforcement (ag), Wendell Blanhum; Director of the GPF Academy, Woman Superintendent Sonia Herbert; Head of the Major Crimes Unit, Superintendent Mitchell Ceasar; Head of the Criminal Records Office, Woman Assistant Superintendent Fiona Fredericks; Head of the Cybercrimes Unit, Assistant Superintendent Jhared Koulen; Head of Crime Lab, Assistant Superintendent Ray Mercurius; and Inspector Junior Blair.
The course which started on June 10, lasted for seven weeks, during which time the participants were exposed to core topics critical to the conducting of criminal investigations.
The course also saw the attendance of personnel from the Guyana Defence Force, Guyana Fire Service, Guyana Prison Service and the Ethnic Relations Commission.
Woman Constable Abigail Abel was adjudged the best-graduating student, while constables Jered Harris and Anil Narine took second and third place, respectively. They were all rewarded with trophies for their extra effort and outstanding performances during the course.
The ranks who participated in the course were drawn from the various divisions and departments and are expected to return to their respective stations, where they will be able to dispense the knowledge gained in the various areas to solve crimes as well as prevent and detect them.
Blanhum in his address to the graduates, welcomed the “new detectives” to the world of criminal investigation and reminded them that detective work is not for the faint-hearted and that under his command, meritocracy will be the key to their advancement within the department.
Expanding what it takes to be an efficient detective, he stated: “CID work – it requires a combination of skills, including sharp intellect, keen observation, and excellent problem-solving skills.”
The Crime Chief urged the graduating ranks to apply the skills they had gained from the course to their everyday work and to always go the extra mile in the fight against crime.
“Criminal endeavours threaten the rule of law; hence, to be effective in the fight against crime, you must go the extra mile,” he exhorted.
