Latest update April 7th, 2025 12:08 AM
Police rank tops military course for first time
The Guyana Police Force topped the Standards Officers Course #42 conducted by the Guyana Defence Force for the first time in the history of the course, and the force yesterday showed that it was proud of its officers.
Commissioner of Police Henry Greene presents one of many prizes to John Barker, who became the first police officer to top the Standard Officers Course conducted by the Army.
The Force also presented certificates of commendation to officers who completed the Standard Officer’s Course (SOC) No. 41. In all, 15 policemen from SOC No. 42 and another 16 from SOC No. 41 were honoured at a simple ceremony held at Police Headquarters, Eve Leary. John Barker, 23, in mid-February this year became the first policeman to graduate as Best Student of the Standards Officers Course, which started some 40 years ago.
He received the coveted Sword of Honour and was also presented with the Venezuelan Armed Forces and Brazilian Armed Forces prizes. For doing the Police Force proud, Commissioner of Police Henry Greene presented him with $250, 000 yesterday. Other officers were also in for special prizes yesterday when the Force congratulated its officers. The Best Drill award went to Cadet Officer Ronjay Prince while the Best Military Prize went to Cadet Officer Haimnauth Sawh.
They each received $50,000 from Commissioner Greene. The Standard Officer’s Course (SOC) was developed to provide training not only for new army officers but also for new officers of the other disciplined services. According to the Guyana Defence Force, it is only an introduction to the officer training and development systems of all military and paramilitary services in Guyana and the Caribbean, and must be supplemented by the appropriate specialist and technical training of the relevant services.
The syllabus of the course includes an intense programme of military skills and tactics, rigorous physical fitness, team activities designed to promote stamina and group spirit, leadership and command methods, management techniques, military law and national policy. Commissioner Greene said that the Force was proud of its young officers, noting that their participation in the Standard Officers Course is part of the Force’s effort to strengthen its middle management. He said that those from SOC No.41, who graduated last year February, were this year appointed as Cadet Officers. However, their appointments were back-dated to the time they graduated. This means that next February they would qualify to serve as Assistant Superintendents, having served two years as cadet officers. Those who graduated from the SOC this year would qualify to serve as Assistant Superintendents in 2012.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Anticipation without preparation
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- The Vice President of Guyana, ever the sagacious observer of the inevitable, has reassured... more
Weekend Cartoon
