Local cops undergo canine handler course in Texas 

Eight police ranks (seven ranks from the Criminal Investigations Department and one from the Mounted Branch of the Guyana Police Force) successfully completed a specialised Detection Canine Handler Course at the Global Training Academy in Somerset, Texas, USA, over a period of five weeks, which commenced Monday, 21st July 2025, and concluded on Friday, 22nd August 2025.

The programme commenced with classroom-based instruction covering the fundamentals of canine handling, safety protocols, and international best practice. This was followed by practical sessions, including rapport walks, handler–canine bonding, and progressively advanced field deployments.

The course placed strong emphasis on narcotics detection, firearms and explosives identification, cadaver recovery, suspect tracking, and crime scene support.

During the opening week, Deputy Superintendent R. Marcurius, who attended the commencement of training, held strategic discussions with Mr. Glenn Hayter, Chief Executive Officer of the Global Training Academy.

The following agreements were reached:

** Delivery of an online training session for Divisional Detective Officers (DDOs) and CID ranks, focusing on the effective deployment of detection canines in narcotics, firearms, explosives, tracking, and human remains detection.

** Assistance in updating existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) Manual for the care, welfare, and operational deployment of detection canines, ensuring accountability, uniformity, and alignment with international standards.

** A forthcoming official visit by Mr. Hayter to Guyana, to assess local conditions and provide further guidance on integrating canine capabilities into policing operations.

The Global Training Academy — internationally recognised for training detection dogs for numerous police departments across the United States, as well as law enforcement and military agencies worldwide—has once again demonstrated its commitment to supporting the modernization of policing in Guyana.

The successful completion of this training represents a significant milestone in strengthening the investigative and crime-fighting capacity of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). With internationally trained handlers and specialised canines now part of our resources, the Force is better equipped to combat narcotics and firearms trafficking, strengthen explosives detection, support search and rescue operations, and enhance crime scene investigations.

This achievement is especially timely, as it enhances the operational readiness of the Guyana Police Force in advance of the forthcoming national elections, while reinforcing public confidence in our ability to safeguard communities and uphold law and order.
The ranks that participated in the specialised Detection Canine Handler Course are as follows:

1. Sergeant 22569 Garfield Skinner, Crime Laboratory — Explosives and Firearms Detection Dog

2. Lance Corporal 25824 Carl Ramsay, Crime Laboratory — Explosives and Firearms Detection Dog

3. Special Lance Corporal 15725 Orlando Smith, Mounted Branch — Explosives and Firearms Detection Dog

4. Constable 25974 Naresh Ragnauth, Crime Laboratory — Cadaver Detection Dog

5. Corporal 26326 Rommel Campbelle, Narcotics Branch — Narcotics and Firearms Detection Dog

6. Constable 26354 Rovi Pachi, Narcotics Branch — Narcotics and Firearms Detection Dog

7. Special Constable 16472 Parmeshwar Gildhari (to be transferred to the Narcotics Branch) Narcotics and Firearms Detection Dog

8. Special Inspector Monty Jeffrey, Mounted Branch — Tracking and Explosives Detection Dog