Latest update November 8th, 2024 1:00 AM
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Police ranks undergoing training in Community Chaplaincy
Ranks of the Guyana Police Force are participating in a three-day Level One, Community Service Chaplaincy training programme that seeks to give first-time juvenile offenders a second chance at rehabilitation. The training is being facilitated by, Dr. Jake Popejoy of the International Association of Community Service Chaplains.
Yesterday, in giving an overview of what the sessions will entail, Dr. Popejoy stated that it is important to note that in most cases what one does not know about a person is more important that what is known. He told the ranks that only then they could effectively give the kind of service that is needed to juveniles.
Dr. Jake Popejoy
He also underscored the importance of being trustworthy, credible and at the same time holding high ethical standards. He added that being able to identify how stress affects a person is also critical hence; stress management will also be addressed during the three-day session.
Dr. Popejoy also implored the ranks to make the best of the training, and not to abuse the privileges that would be given to them by their superiors.
Acting Commissioner of Police, Seelall Persaud in his address, in noting the timeliness of the training, said it was being held at a time when the world is experiencing a lot of conflict and a significant portion is related to ethnic conflicts this has caused some major security problems.
“This gathering is very unique. We have members of the three major religions and police … and we wish to recognise the efforts of the religious leaders for how responsible they were in exercising their function, so today we don’t experience the conflict we see around the world”.
The Commissioner added that this training reflects the Guyana Police Force’s current approach to crime and disorder as it pivots on the premise that while law enforcement services can go a long way to treat with crime, crime is a social problem and has to be treated socially. Persaud also underscored the importance of working with the community and religious groups.
In addition, Reverend Kwame Gilbert who played a very integral role in making the Cops and Faith Community Network a reality said “very critical component in building any society is the establishment of vital partnerships and not just with social players but the link that can be established through social institutions.”
He pointed out that in the absence of vital links among institutions there will always be disequilibrium; hence what the government has been doing at all levels is trying to find links between institutions, “and today we are witnessing a working of that approach to build linkages.”
He noted that over the past years, it was found that there was a need for alternative approaches in dealing with matters of juvenile justice.
“While at the level of the executive there are steps being taken in juvenile justice reform, at the lower levels it became necessary to look at ways, in the absence of a juvenile justice reform programme and we started looking for interventions for juvenile justice.”
The objectives of the Cops and Faith Community Network include the creation of a mechanism for community problem solving which by extension may lead to community building and improving police community relations. The religious leaders will provide mediatory functions to young persons who for the first time, come into conflict with the law for minor offences.
The religious leaders can avail themselves as mentors for young people. The programme was inaugurated as a pilot project in the ten communities, which were involved in the Community Action Component of the Citizen Security Programme. These are Sophia, Agricola/Mc Doom, Plaisance, Buxton/Friendship, Annandale/Lusignan, Angoy’s Avenue, Overwinning/Glasgow/Edinburgh, Port Mourant, Rose Hall and Kilcoy/Chesney/Fyrish in Region Four and Six.
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