GAPSO ranks trained to quell election disturbances

GAPSOGeorgetown: Ranks of several private security firms have undergone specialised training to quell potential election-related disturbances, a release from the Guyana Association of Private Security Organisations (GAPSO) stated.

In a statement, GAPSO stated that a series of specialised security training for private security officers was conducted in three batches of 40 officers between February 17 and March 24, 2015.

GAPSO said private security officers play a critical role in protecting public safety, critical infrastructure, and property all across Guyana. In addition, private security is responsible for thousands of lives and billions of dollars in assets. This training was designed to augment security officers’ skills with specialty training in effective election security issues.

According to GAPSO, the instruction provides basic knowledge, skills, and conceptual understanding of how 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 the Public Order Act, orders for opening fire, potential election-related disturbances, and the role of the private security during the electoral period.

Participants represented Banks DIH, Security Alliance, Federal Management Systems, MMC, Bank of Guyana, Kalibur, Sentinel Security, and Integrated Security Services. The course instructors included Lieutenant Colonel Randy Storm, Whittington Braithwaite, David Moore, Carlos Beaton, and Stanley Leitch. In completing the course, it is expected that the graduates will, in turn, train more than 5000 training officers in their respective organisation.