Private security agencies beef up training ahead of E-Day

Last Updated on Wednesday, 6 May 2015, 18:46 by GxMedia

The Guyana Police Force’s water cannon and Guyana Fire Service tenders undergoing an output test at the Square of the Revolution

by Zena Henry

Members of private security agencies are taking no changes as they too have embarked on hightened service training ahead of Election Day, five days away.

Meanwhile, the fire tenders and the water cannon on Wednesday underwent a routine “output-test” at the Square of the Revolution. The test is usually done on the National Park tarmac but the stands are being repaired for the annual Independence Day activity.

In what is being described as an increasingly “volatile” political season, some 120 security officers from more than five agenices from Georgetown mainly, recieved skills training from recognised security officials and are expected to impart this on their colleagues; of about 5000 persons.

In a public missive the Guyana Association of Private Security Organisations (GAPSO) said that, in readiness for the May 11 General and Regional elections, The Guyana Association of Private Security Organizations (GAPSO) on March 24 completed a series of specialized security training for private security officers.

The training which was conducted in three batches of forty officers was held in February and March.

The Association said, “private security officers play a critical role in protecting public safety, critical infrastructure, and property across Guyana.”

They are responsible for thousands of lives and billions of dollars in assets and this training was designed to augment security officer’s skills with specialty training in effective election security issues, the statement said.  “The instruction provides basic knowledge, skills, and conceptional understanding to effectively and efficiently make the right decisions and act decisively in executing their duties during this period.”

“Using classroom lectures, discussions, and practical exercises, the course covered Public Order Act, Orders for Opening Fire, Potential Election-related disturbances, and the role of the Private Security during the electoral period,” it was noted.

Participants included Banks DIH, Security Alliance, Federal Management Systems, MMC, Bank of Guyana, Kalibur, Sentinel Security and Integrated Security Services. The course was instructed by Lt Col. Randy Storm, Mr. Whittington Braithwaite, Mr. David Moore, Mr. Carlos Beaton and Mr. Stanley Leitch.