Computer centre to boost police ability to tackle cybercrime

Mar 28, 2017 News

With the aim of boosting the Guyana Police Force (GPF)’s ability to fight cybercrime, its computer training centre was re-commissioned on Friday. The re-commissioning was facilitated by the Zara Cyber Security Centre at a cost of

The re-commissioned centre.

$20.5M.
This was done in collaboration between the GPF and the Zara Group of Companies. The centre is located at the Felix Austin Training College, Eve Leary.
Speaking at the ceremony was acting Commissioner of Police, David Ramnarine, who pointed out that dealing with new emerging crimes demand a wide, strong and competent partnership.
“This centre will seriously provide us with the capacity and capability as we project the thrusts to deal with cyber threats,” Ramnarine said.
This newspaper was informed that over the years, the GPF has been exploring opportunities to build capabilities to tackle cybercrime in the absence of legislation to address it. And, as such, two ranks have been certified as cybercrime specialists.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Security, Danielle McCalmon, commended the Zara Group for its “valuable collaboration” in the fight against crime.
Over the last three years, the force has increased overseas training of ranks to deal with non-traditional crimes.
The Zara Group has also been supporting the GPF in capacity building, in crime fighting, and building community policing relationship over the years.
The Zara Cyber Security Centres aims to foster community relationship between the police and communities through training, and to enhance the information technology capabilities of the force through training of officers in computer science, among others.
A Memorandum of Understanding between the GPF and the Zara Group makes stipulation for the free training of community members in information technology.
Since the establishment of the centre, 1,807 adults and 948 children from communities across the country have been trained in Information Technology.
Additionally, 805 police officers and ranks were trained in Information Technology at the three centres.
A member of the Zara Group, Jay Subraj said that the collaboration is part of the company’s efforts to give back to its home country.
“It is our duty to serve our country, our roots,” Subraj said while adding that the company has established 14 education centres in Guyana and North America.