The investigative skills of just over 25 local law enforcement agents have been improved following a two-week training programme on investigating fraud, bribery, and corruption.

At the culmination of the training on Friday, Crime Chief Paul Williams encouraged the 26 participants to challenge their superiors who may be bent on doing investigative work the conventional way.

The participants had reportedly talked about the resistance of their superiors to changes in the way matters are investigated, listing it as a challenge to the process.

But Williams did not deny that this may be occurring. Instead, he encouraged the law enforcement agents to not become comfortable with performing their duties within the limitations of ethics.

“Don’t sit idly and allow things to happen… you must ensure that what is being taught is put into practice,” he said.

He told the ranks to “go and explore” and build their own capacity to fight fraud, bribery, and corruption.

Williams said he was happy that the agents have completed the training, which has positioned them to be better investigators.

The participants, in turn, promised to engender the much-needed change in the way matters of fraud, bribery, and corruption are investigated.

Participants were drawn from the Special Organised Crime Unit, the Criminal Investigation Department, State Asset Recovery Agency, and the Customs Anti- Narcotics Unit.

Led by two trainers from the UK with over 30 years experience in fraud and anti-corruption matters, the Guyanese Law Enforcement officers were exposed over the next two weeks to training in fighting fraud and corruption.

The two-week Financial Investigation and Anti Corruption training is funded by the Government of the United Kingdom and builds on work already done in this area by the Special Adviser attached to SOCU, Russel Combe.