The Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) information technology department received a boost yesterday with the presentation of a quantity of computers donated by the overseas-based Association of Ex-Presidential Guards and Immigration Officers (APGI).

Bonita Wolfe Woodhouse (second from left), a member of the New York Chapter of the Association of Ex-Presidential Guards and Immigration Officers (APGI), presents a computer to Deputy Chief Immigration Officer of the Immigration Department, Superintendent Carol Lewis-Primo while other members of APGI, immigration officers and presidential guards look on.

The presentation was made following a press briefing by the body at the Police Inspectors and Sergeants Mess, Young Street, Eve Leary and is part of the association’s week of activities being held under the theme ‘Bonding the past with the present, for the future’. APGI was formed eight years ago and the local chapter is this week celebrating its first anniversary.

Bonita Wolfe Woodhouse, member of the organising committee of the New York chapter, told the media that it was in regular contact with the local chapter. She said she visited Guyana in February and saw the need for additional equipment to strengthen the services offered by the Immigration Department.

Woodhouse, a former immigration officer, said the association was happy to present the computers to the immigration department and was satisfied with the performance of the force. She said the association acknowledged the challenges the GPF faced and that there was room for improvement. She also said that APGI has been assisting serving members of the GPF who were not as fortunate as others.

According to Ralph Green, financial secretary of the association, the New York chapter of APGI has been holding fundraising activities to finance its projects. He said that at present, he is involved in the information technology field and that having information at hand would greatly assist the police force.

Lucius Prescott, chairman of the local chapter, said the formation of a local body was encouraged by the overseas body. He said there are approximately 42 local financial members and the local arm meets on the last Sunday of each month.

Thirteen members of the overseas chapter of APGI are currently in Guyana .As part of its week of activities, the association held a general meeting on Tuesday to ensure that both groups have a concrete understanding of the association’s goals and objectives.

The association also met Commissioner of Police Henry Greene yesterday as well as heads of department of the GPF. In addition, a church service will be held today, following which there will be a presentation of hampers to less fortunate members of the force.

The activities will culminate this weekend with a dinner and dance at Zoom Inn on Croal Street on Saturday, a party for children on Sunday and a family fun day on Easter Monday.