Department's Officer
The Police Training School came into existence during the year 1956, the first local Commandant and Force Training Officer was Superintendent K. Beharrysingh, he was appointed in 1957. The Police Training School was then renamed to Felix Austin Police College in August 28th 1987, which paid fitting tribute to retired Commissioner Felix Wilton Austin, Esq., DSS, QPM, CPM.
The Police College is the heart of the Police Force, as its name implies, this department is concerned with the practical education of members of the force, from the trainee who get his first exposure to the complexities of policing, to all other ranks of the police force. Without this department it would have been virtually impossible for members of the force to perform their duties with such a degree of efficiency to earn them the respect and confidence of the nation.
There are three police training colleges, the other two are Felix Austin Police College “B” which is located in Adventure Berbice and Richard Faikall Police College in Essequibo which was name after Detective Sergeant 1117 Richard Faikall who died in the line of duty. All of the college comes directly under a Commandant, but the Force Training Officer is responsible for all the colleges and all aspects of training.
The Felix Austin Police College present Commandant is Superintendent Shivpersaud Baccuss, it is his second time holding this position and some of his predecessors were Superintendent Dennis Stephen, Woman Superintendent. Audrey Small, Senior Superintendent Kurleigh Simon, Deputy Commissioner Administration Paul Williams, Retired Aissitant Commissioner Clinton Conway, to name a few.
The Compound
At the entrance of the Police College there is a driveway that is name “Dorothy Drive” after the wife of former Commissioner Lloyd Barker, DSS, DSM, CPM. One path leads to the official residence of the commissioners which is currently occupied by Commissioner Leslie A James, DSS, DSM., the other path leads to the general compound which is home to:
- Multiple barracks that house recruits who are in training, male and females live in different building and the college can accommodate an average of one hundred and fifty males and fifty females at one time.
- A Junior Officers Complex.
- A model of a Police Station was constructed under the leadership of former Commissioner Laurie Lewis, DSS, DSM. This model station is used to carry out practical exercises for recruits who are undergoing their initial training.
- The Audrey Small Benhab, which was the initiative of former Commandant W/Supt. A. Small and was built under her command in 2019.
- A Zara computer center which was open in 2016.
- A medical block
- A kitchen and mess hall. (Currently under the supervision of W/Supt. A Saul)
- The John Campbell Police Museum. (Present curator is Woman Constable 25188 Duke)
- The Seelall Persaud Fitness Gym, which is used by member of the force and their family. (supervised by Sergeant 17534 Mars)
- A barber Shop
- A canteen
- The Ronald Weber Library which was named after a former commissioner.
- An administrative building,
- A drill square tarmac
- An obstacle course and
- Several classrooms.
Training
The College facilitates a number of training programs for police ranks and civilians. Some of which are:
- Learner driver classes. ( Conducted by Traffic Headquarters)
- Immigration Training. (non-resident training)
- Special Constabulary Training. (non-resident training)
- Junior Officers Training.
- Recruits Initial Training. (Resident training).
The recruit’s initial training is conducted over an average period of six months. The recruits are taught various programs which includes human rights, anger management, communication, computer training, self-defense, English, Spanish, first aid, basic policingin the different stages such asmusketry and drill, progress stage, junior stage, traffic stage, crime stage and fire arms. They are also required to attend the mortuary and court to witness cases and participate in a live firing exercise at the Timehri Rifle Range. At the completion of their training a gradation parade is kept for the ranks who are now equipped with basic knowledge to work in any department in the Guyana Police Force.