Georgetown: The International Committee of the Red Cross (I.C.R.C) conducted a one week Trainer of Trainers Course for members of the Guyana Police Force and Defence Force. This program recently concluded at the Police Officers’ Training Centre.
There were twenty four participants in attendance. Fourteen from the Guyana Police Force and ten 10 from the Guyana Defence Force. Throughout the period of engagement some of the subject areas were International Law and International Human Rights Law, Law Enforcement Functions and Responsibilities, Law Enforcement Powers, Command, Control and Accountability and Situations of Armed Conflict.
The participants also used case study from Guyana’s position and applied the local and international laws and best practices.
The International Committee of Red Cross (I.C.R.C.) delegation during its visit to Guyana prior to the National and Regional Elections engaged the joint services, and looked at local joint protocols, standard operating procedures and international best practices in respecting Human Rights while carrying out their mandates and responsibilities, to serve and protect. The delegation was highly impressed and convinced that both services during their internal security posture and separate activities, do have correct mechanism established to observe and respect human rights.
However, it was noted that there were shortage of trainers. Most of the trainers would have retired or are deceased, persons such as; Senior Superintendent Patrick Robin, Inspector Edward Greene and the late Assistant Commissioner Derick Josiah. The last two internationally trained Human Rights’ Trainers within the Guyana Police Force are Senior Superintendent Paul Williams (Force Training Officer) and Assistant Superintendent Angela Harding who were trained in 2008 in Barbados.
This program having been conducted here, has created history within the Guyana Police Force, since it is the first of its kind where both Police and the Army would have trained jointly on the International Rules and Standards for Policing by the International Committee of Red Cross (I.C.R.C).
The Guyana Police Force thanked the President of the International Committee of Red Cross (I.C.R.C.), Ms. Alexandra Ortiz, the trainers, Mr. T. Husty President of G.R.C.S and Mrs. Dorithy Fraser Director of G.R.C.S, also the Chief-of-Staff for allowing his ranks to be recipients of this important training.
The Joint Services are now equipped with an additional 24 Human Rights’ Trainers.
You must be logged in to post a comment.