Hon. Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, M.P., is currently attending the official launch of the United States Embassy’s project, ‘Strengthening the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Training to Improve Responses to Vulnerable Populations,’ which is a collaboration with Pan American Development Foundation and the Guyana Police Force.

The project seeks to improve the Guyana Police Force’s encounters with marginalised and vulnerable populations (at-risk youth, victims of gender-based violence, migrants, and others), and is being held at the Officers’ Training Centre today (Tuesday, January 31, 2023).

U.S. Ambassador to the Co-operative Republic of Guyana Sarah-Ann Lynch, Political Officer/INL Coordinator Mr. Howard Chung, Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) representative Mr. Faisal Hassan, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Ms. Mae Toussaint Jr. Thomas, Deputy Commissioner ‘Administration’ Mr. Calvin Brutus, Force Training Officer, Deputy Superintendent Kevin London, along with several other embassy officials and special invitees are in attendance.

To fulfill its mandate, this project will evaluate standards and procedures for de-escalation tactics, as well as improve officer encounters through modernised de-escalation procedures and training, as well as the adoption of tailored police responses to vulnerable populations.

The three main components to support the goal of this project will be to first assess the GPF’s curriculum and review current training and standing orders specifically for vulnerable populations where they exist. This will be done to analyse standards and procedures regarding police response to violent and non-violent crimes, de-escalation tactics, and community policing, specifically when encountering vulnerable populations.

Secondly, the project will develop in-person and virtual training modules based on international best practices in accordance with findings from the initial assessment.

Thirdly, this project will conduct training for members of the GPF and recommend pathways for the GPF to incorporate and implement these best practice modules into the Police Academy teaching in the long term.

The general objectives of the project are:

1) Identify gaps and effectiveness of the GPF in responding to marginalised and vulnerable populations.

2) Improve GPF Academy curriculum techniques and materials based on international best practices and standards and integrate or strengthen youth crime, GBV, and migrant response into academy courses and training.

3) Conduct training for GPF Academy trainers so that recruits and personnel are better able to perform police duties on youth crime, GBV, and migrant issues.