40 police officers benefit from skills training

GINA, GUYANA, Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Police officers of ‘B’ Division on Monday graduated in a number of disciplines from the Board of Industrial Training (BIT).

The skills which are expected to benefit the officers for life are heavy-duty operation, motor vehicle repairs, cake decoration, catering, garment construction, radio and electronics.

Assistant Commissioner, Commander of ‘B’ Division Ian Amsterdam ( first from right), and Richard Maughn, Technical Officer, BIT (second from right) with senior officers from the Guyana Police Force, trainer and graduates at the graduation ceremony at the New Amsterdam Prison Club

Assistant Commissioner and Commander of ‘B’ Division, Ian Amsterdam, speaking at the graduation exercise at the New Amsterdam Prison Club, said that when the programme was launched, he told ranks that they were embarking in a new area and that they would be trained in various skills.

“These are skills for life, and if you don’t want to be a police anymore or when you would have left the police force, you would have something to fall back on, and you will earn money for yourself and your family,” Assistant Commissioner Amsterdam stated.

Assistant Commissioner Amsterdam noted that the training adds to the advancement and the performance of the officers.

“Our ranks are being educated in different fields, and this, I am sure, will improve our performance. This will enhance the ranks’ ability to perform at another level, and help themselves as they have started,” explained Amsterdam.

He noted that the ranks in ‘B’ division will not only be seen as law enforcement officers, but as well rounded officers who are equipped to serve.

Richard Maughn, Technical Officer at BIT said that the idea came after it was noticed that most times when police officers leave they would turn to negative activities or to being bus operators, and senior ranks want better for these officers.

“Assistant Commander Brutus approached us, and he was very interested in two things; one he needed assistance for a programme Commander (Clifton) Hickens was doing at the time in Georgetown, and he had a concern about ranks leaving the Guyana Police Force and working as minibus operators, be it driver, be it conductors or be it tout, so he had that concern and we spoke, and we decided that we will try to initiate a training that would suit the ranks of the Guyana Police Force,” explained Maughn.

Jason Fileen said that he always wanted get involved in heavy -duty operation. He thanked the Police Force and BIT for being afforded the opportunity.

“It was a great experience for me. I learn a lot. I never know how you does operate excavators… but I have learn it now, I have enjoyed the course, a very good experience for me,” added Fileen.

Merlyn Forrester said that garment construction runs in her family, but she never had a chance to learn it and her being a part of the training was an experience she will use for as long as she can.

“Now I know so much I think I can share it at church with the youth that they too can be able to be something from what I learned,” explained Forrester.

 

By: Delon Sancho

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