Police and Army Ranks trained in Human rights

Nov 04, 2015 News

The Joint Services are now equipped with an additional 24 Human Rights’ Trainers. This follows a one week Trainer of Trainers’ Course conducted by the International Committee of the Red Cross (I.C.R.C) for members of the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force.

Participants and officials

Conducted from October 26 – 30, 2015 at the Police Officers’ Training Centre, the course saw the participants in attendance numbering 14 from the Guyana Police Force and 10 from the Guyana Defence Force.
Some of the subject areas covered during the training course included 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 I.C.R.C delegation during its visit to Guyana prior to the National and Regional Elections, had engaged the Joint Services, and looked at local joint protocols, standard operating procedures and international best practices when respecting Human Rights while carrying out their mandates and responsibilities, to serve and protect.
The delegation was reportedly 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 have retired or are deceased, including 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 recent course, 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.
The Guyana Police Force in a press statement, expressed thanks to the President of the International Committee of Red Cross (I.C.R.C.), Ms. Alexandra Ortiz, the Trainers, Mr. Taney 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.