Guyana’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit will be in full operation by August of next year, U.S.-based security and justice reform consultancy firm The Emergence Group (TEG) Director, Ambassador Dennis Hays said.
He was at the time addressing media operatives at the signing ceremony for finalisation of the SWAT contract between the TEG high-level team and the Home Affairs Ministry in the ministry’s boardroom on Monday evening.
“At the end of the year, we should have started the training ceremony and by next summer, Guyana will have a fully functioning SWAT team… we have had many good and serious back-and-forth discussions on setting up the team,” he said. The TEG has already identified individuals who will be coming to Guyana in the near future to have a firsthand look and assessment of existing capabilities, skills and equipment, after which they will develop a country-specific programme. The plan will include training and mentoring exercises aimed at enhancing the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
The objective is to create additional crime-fighting strategies to deal with serious crimes in the country that are seemingly bigger than the GPF.
Training programme
Ambassador Hays said the training programmes will begin by December and early in 2014, the TEG will be moving to commence mentoring and training of officers, which will run until August.
“At the minister’s request, we are looking to provide training and experience as quickly as possible, and we have done that by cutting back on our side of our prep time… you will see us in the few weeks; we’ll be back to do assessment work,” Hays said.
“He will know that he has officers who have training, temperament and expertise to apply critical judgment in a difficult situation to ensure that there is a resolution that is obtained at the lowest possible level of violence.”
The TEG director stated that this is an area in which the group has a great deal of expertise. TEG has worked in more difficult, high-crime environments including places like Afghanistan.
“We are good at setting up teams to engage and to support the public while providing additional security… when this came through from the Guyana government, we were serious about putting together the best possible team,” Hays added.
Misconceptions
The director said there were many misconceptions about the SWAT team, but officers are specially trained to work together to minimise violence and public unrest.
“There are misconceptions out there about SWAT teams, like how they break down doors etc… and certainly, there is a capability to do so if required to do that, but the team is trained to work together,” Hays stressed.
The SWAT team will also be tackling small pockets of crime in Guyana.
“Most people think the SWAT team is what they see on TV: the reality is that there are many forces getting away from the word SWAT, that’s sort of first generation,” he said.
As the SWAT initiative develops and the trained officers gain additional experience, a whole range of issues can be dealt with by a dedicated team.
Best practice
During the signing ceremony, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee said Guyana is moving to set up a SWAT in keeping with global standards. He said persons should not be judgmental of its effectiveness just yet, and should give the team a chance to function and deliver services.
“This SWAT team initiative has been long in the making, as you know there is a saying better late than never,” Rohee said.
He said the government and the TEG have had very useful discussions, adding that government will be tackling the crime situation from all angles.
“There’s always room for improvement and if the SWAT team will be able to facilitate additional improvements in the country to fight crime and deal with serious matters, which requires a SWAT team, then I think it behoves to so do.”
