Some 100 police officers have completed training provided by a British team which should see an improved level of service and a more professional response to challenges where firearms are involved.

Speaking at the closing of the two-week training session yesterday, Commissioner of Police Winston Felix said the exercises would improve the delivery of service by the police, particularly their response to armed incidents; an area, which he acknowledged has seen much controversy.

It has been alleged in the past that police officers responding to situations where they believed suspects were armed, shot first and asked questions after.

It has also been alleged that even in instances where persons surrendered they were still shot and sometimes killed.

"I cannot promise you that with this training there will be no more deaths," the Commissioner said. "There are always those who would want to test you to the limit. But what I am sure of is that the police would be better prepared to exercise more restraint and tolerance in dealing with armed and violent situations..."

He said that the training was not the end, as the trainees will have to impart what they have learnt to their colleagues across the country. He pointed out that what is done in Georgetown will also be extended to the outlying areas.

Commissioner Felix recalled that in the late nineties a study was undertaken by the British which resulted in a report that was circulated and which eventually saw two British officers visiting Guyana and interviewing a number of police officers.

Following those interviews, four officers, Felix among them, went to the United Kingdom in 2001 on a three-month course. During the course they were able to witness various armed engagements.

They were afforded the opportunity to observe that there are many ways to respond to armed incidents and steps can be taken which can defuse such situations. It was out of this training that the local courses emerged.

Asked when it was estimated that the officers would put what they have learnt into practice, Felix said it would happen when other officers are trained and they are placed in their respective teams. These teams will be placed in the different divisions. However, Felix said priority would be given to "where the action is."

The procedures adopted at the training sessions will become standing orders of the force and the trainers yesterday said the last bunch of officers exhibited much zeal and enthusiasm and they hoped they will soon become a crack unit.

The commissioner was also asked how the force would ensure that the officers trained did not imitate the actions of the `Black Clothes Squad' which was accused of executing suspects over a number of years. He explained that the teams will be under keen scrutiny. He said should someone drift from the norms of police standards they will be dealt with.

Meanwhile, dressed in their full police uniform complete with helmets and weapons, the last batch of trainees gave a demonstration at the Demerara Distillers Ltd Managers Quarters, Diamond, East Bank Demerara, the same location where they trained.

A full house was in attendance including a number of senior officers in the force; Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force Brigadier Edward Collins; British High Commissioner, Steven Hiscock; and acting Minister of Home Affairs, Gail Teixeira.

Chief Superintendent of Police, Paul Robinson, headed the British training team and four other officers supported him.

A demonstration conducted by officers who are all members of the Tactical Services Unit (TSU), included a mock briefing session before officers went out to confront suspected armed bandits.

Robinson gave the scenario of a businessman at Providence, East Bank Demerara, being robbed by two bandits who had entered his home. The report given to the police was that one of the suspects was armed and they had escaped in a white vehicle, number plate given, which was driven by a third man. The information was passed to the officers at the briefing and one hour later a traffic policeman saw the vehicle and contacted his control, since it was suspected that the man might have been armed.

With sirens blaring, adding reality to the situation, the police vehicles cornered the suspect vehicle and using a bull horn ordered the driver to stop and exit his vehicle. He was then arrested.

Under interrogation he admitted he was the driver but claimed he had been asked by a cousin to take him and another man to visit someone who owed them money.

Claiming that he knew nothing of the robbery, the driver provided the police with details of where his cousin and other male were.

Before visiting the building where the suspected bandits were the officers held another briefing and were given a rundown of the layout of the surroundings of the house and also about the building itself.

A successful arrest was then made.