Breaking down the language barriers, Guyana Police Force taking another step in the right direction

DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, October 9, 2018

The Guyana Police Force continues on its mandate to improve its public image and raise the bar on the quality of services delivered to Guyanese and migrants, especially Venezuelan Nationals who have taken up refuge mostly on Guyana’s western border regions.

The Administration of the Force implemented Spanish into the curriculum of the police training, to prepare the young Policemen/women to be able to deal and communicate with these migrants on a more professional level, since it is the Guyana Police Force’s duty to protect these individuals taking into consideration that they are more vulnerable to abuse and exploitation of all kinds.

Speaking with the Acting Force Training Officer, Senior Superintendent Fizal Karimbaksh and Commandant of the Felix Austin Police College (G/Town), Superintendent Shivpersaud Bacchus, it was revealed that the Administration of the Force sees this programme as necessary. Considering the increasing influx of Spanish speaking nationals, entering Guyana, places members of the Force at a disadvantage at various border locations dealing with language barriers. With the implementation of this programme, ranks will be in a better position to communicate and deal with matters of this nature whenever it arises, which in turn will assist members of the Force to more efficiently and effectively discharge their duties, while delivering quality service to all.

The initiative, which started in July of this year, is being taught by lecturers from Guyana and overseas at all three of the Police colleges namely: Felix Austin Police College (Georgetown), Richard Faikall Police College (Suddie, Essequibo Coast) and Felix Austin Police College (Adventure, Berbice). The syllabus, which focuses on the fundamental aspects of the Spanish language, is being taught throughout the duration of the recruit training and it is envisaged that the Valedictorian of the next Recruit Graduation will deliver his/her speech in the foreign language.

Guyana Police Force

Press Release