PR comes first!
The Guyana Police Force’s Public Relations Department is among the first to undergo training as part of the Force’s reform process. On Tuesday last, ranks of the department took part in a workshop in Media Relations and Communications Skills, which was facilitated by two high ranking Media Relations and Communications Specialists from the United Kingdom.
Dr. Joan Boyd and Ms. Susan Corbett traveled to Guyana a week ago and met with the Force’s Top Brass and shortly after began working with the PRO (Public Relations Officer) and his team, in efforts to advance their capabilities in the disciplines of communication and Public Relations as well as highlighting necessary departmental upgrades which would coincide with best practices of modern policing.
The training consisted of the fundamentals of reporting as well as guidelines for effective communication aimed at internal and external audiences. The ranks also received sound advice form Senior Crime Journalism Mr. Rabindra Rooplall of the Guyana Chronicle.
Dr. Boyd and Ms. Corbet whom are here through the auspices of the British High Commission have worked as journalists in Northern Ireland and have also worked very closely with the Police Service of Northern Ireland and are reputable Media Consultants spanning the areas of Public Relations, Communications, Crisis Communications, Journalism, Media Relations, Corporate Communications and Social Media.
The program concludes today Wednesday at the Officers’ Training Centre where the Force’s Community Relations Officers as well as the Divisional correspondents from all Policing Divisions and also two representatives from the Guyana Prison Service, will undergo a similar type of training in communication skills.
In October, 2018, Commissioner James promised a reformed Police Force by March 2019. This was corroborated by His Excellency President David Granger earlier in January at the opening of the Annual Officers’ Conference as he reiterated the need for incorruptible, professional and unbiased Police men and women.
Twenty-seven ranks, inclusive of two Prison Officers were in attendance.