Latest update January 24th, 2025 6:10 AM
Latest News
- VP Jagdeo exposed on Gas-to-Energy project
- $350B in loans to fund 2025 budget-Jagdeo
- Judge blocks Trump’s ‘blatantly unconstitutional’ executive order that aims to end birthright citizenship
- UK Company installs monitoring system on four drill rigs in Guyana
- Former K/NEWS sports journalist loses home in Kitty fire
Guyana has selected the right group for SWAT team – US trainer
Members of the newly formed Guyana Police Force Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) team, which has been described as a legacy of outgoing Commissioner Leroy Brumell, have completed the first phase of their training.
The basic training culminated with a formal closing ceremony yesterday at the Police Officers’ Training Centre, Eve Leary, at which the team members were each presented with a certificate.
Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee presents a certificate to officer Dookie of the SWAT team.
The unit, which was launched on February 6, commenced training in February. According to lead trainer, Dallas Stedd, they were introduced to a brand new method of SWAT training for the Guyana Police Force.
He said that one of the main purposes of the training was primarily to get the ranks to understand that one of their main objectives is to save lives.
The trainer noted that the members of the unit now understand the principle of close combat; they now know how to dominate a small space.
He explained that they were also taught how to work as a team and support each other as well as to evaluate situations in a timely manner.
“They know how to prepare a SWAT operation board and give a field review. These police officers are now prepared for what it takes to conduct a hostage rescue operation,” Stedd told those gathered for the special closing ceremony.
Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, who delivered the feature address, noted that yesterday’s event was a historic one, coming in the wake of significant negativity over the establishment of the SWAT unit.
However the Minister noted that the public has great expectations of such a unit, which he said is normal.
“They may not be active players as law enforcement officers are…They have a stake in ensuring that the population sleeps, rests, work and play in an atmosphere of peace and good order…and that really is the context in which this team has been launched and is being trained as an additional component within the Guyana Police Force,” Rohee stated.
He said that there were significant criticisms prior to the launching of the SWAT unit, most of which were unwarranted.
The Minister said that he believes that any new component in the Guyana Police Force that raises the prestige and the esteem of the organization to a higher level must be welcomed, since it is all about making Guyana a better place.
“This is not a foreign force. All of these members of the SWAT team, I believe, have Guyanese birth certificates. They’re not Brazilians, they’re not Venezuelans, they’re not Americans,” he said.
Rohee said that the government is pleased with the establishment of the SWAT unit and his Ministry stands ready to support the Guyana Police Force in all stages of the initiative, now that the first phase has been successfully completed.
However, according to Minister Rohee, there will be challenges, including those regarding basic human rights.
“Human Rights is now a focal point of the attention within the ambit of law enforcement,” Rohee stated.
In the context of the modernisation of the Guyana Police Force, the Minister said that the SWAT unit is a major contributing factor, filling a vacuum in the law enforcement capabilities of Guyana.
Dan Waddington of the emergence group presents another certificate to a SWAT team member.
He congratulated Commissioner Brumell whom he credited with leading the force into the successful establishment of the unit.
“This is a legacy of…Leroy Fitzpatrick Brumell…He’s leaving the force with a team that enhances the prestige and image of this organization,” the Minister declared.
Earlier, the outgoing Commissioner of Police commended Minister Rohee for his persistence in establishing the SWAT unit.
Brumell noted that from what he has garnered, the unit has shown self discipline and appears to be well coordinated. He also observed that the SWAT team has a very good working relationship with the trainers. This augurs well for the advancement of a professional unit, he said.
Dan Waddington, Director of the Emergence Group, which is responsible for the training of the team told the gathering that he is very impressed with the commitment shown by the Commissioner and his administrative team to make the Guyana Police Force and elite organization.
Waddington, who has previous experience in training members of the Guyana Police Force, said that he is aware of the negative perception that precipitated the launching of the unit.
He said, however, that he is convinced that the Police Force has selected the right group of men who have the quality to be a professional and successful SWAT team.
“We will do whatever we can to support the Guyana Police Force in making it a professional unit,” Waddington said.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Berbice and Jagdeo’s legacy
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News-By any reckoning, Region 6 should have been Guyana’s most prosperous region. It has a... more
OAS Secretary General Election and renewed OAS Consensus
Antiguan Barbudan Ambassador to the United States, Sir Ronald Sanders By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- The upcoming election... more
Weekend Cartoon
