US Ambassador Brent Hardt (centre with yellow striped tie) is flanked by the Guyanese law enforcement officers.

GEORGETOWN – Thirteen Guyanese law enforcement officials are attending a series of  training courses spanning from May 13 to June 28 in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago at the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) Police Academy, the United States (US) embassy here announced on Friday.

In these courses, participants developed their skills relating to criminal gang and organized crime investigations; intelligence gathering for law enforcement; and crime scene investigations.   

This was the first time Guyana has sent students to the Trinidad-based Academy.  Instructors from the United States Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) conducted the training course.   U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, D. Brent Hardt toured the TTPS Police Academy and met with the first group of Guyanese law enforcement officials participating in the training as part of a recent visit to Trinidad and Tobago.  The Ambassador expressed appreciation to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Academy leadership for facilitating Guyana’s participation in the training.

The Ambassador pointed out that the expansion of regional training programs and regional centers of excellence is a primary goal of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) -- the ongoing security partnership between the Caribbean and the United States.  Such training allows for more capacity building training to be delivered at lower cost.  More importantly, it helps build personal connections among Caribbean law enforcement agencies that are essential to combating transnational criminal activity.  The Ambassador told participants that "criminals operate across borders, and law enforcement agencies must be equally nimble if they are to remain effective in combating criminal activity."

CBSI partners agreed on importance of expanding regional training and developing regional centers of excellence.  This FBI provided training reflects the U.S. commitment to implement the CBSI and develop region's capacity to enhance training in broad range of areas for law enforcement officials throughout the region.  This partnership exemplifies the regional cooperation that is at the heart of the CBSI’s success and sustainability.  The CBSI partnership with the Caribbean was launched by U.S. President Barack Obama at the Fifth Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago in April 2009 and is a cornerstone of an integrated, multilateral hemispheric security strategy that seeks to enhance citizen security, promote social justice, and combat illicit trafficking