Coast Guard Officers receive certificates

2007 was a special year for the St.Vincent and the Grenadines Coast Guard, with 78 officers being trained in ‘Leadership and Motivation’.{{more}}

On Friday, January 11, 2008, a section of the officers received their certificates at the Commander’s Quarterly Parade, held at the Calliaqua Coast Guard Base.

The areas covered during the workshops, which were held in four phases, were Organizational Context; What is an Organization; Organizational Behaviour; Leadership Theory; Transactional Vs Transformational Leadership; The Trust Factor; Power and Authority; Functions of Communication; Motivational Theory; Hawthorne Studies; Hierarchy of Needs; Motivation and Hygiene; and Theory of Being Effective At What You Do.

Coast Guard Commander Brenton Cain outlined that a career in the Coast Guard demands a lot of motivation.

“We need a lot of motivation because sea water is not easy to battle, especially when facing the hazards that are out there,” said Cain.

He explained that motivation brings out the best performance that can be achieved by the officers.

Deputy Commander, Deon Henry, noted that last year’s training has contributed significantly in the area of the personal behaviour and development of officers. He pointed out that the programme has helped the officers to see themselves as a part of the police constabulary and not as a separate entity.

“The programme has taught us to relate as us and not as we and them,” said Henry, adding “it even helps us to recognize when officers are stressed”.

The Deputy Commander used the opportunity to call for ongoing training in various areas that can lead to development, as a result of persons quitting the Coast Guard occasionally.

Chief Petit Officer, Vinton John, sharing his views on the workshops, explained that leadership and motivational programmes equip officers with the necessary tools to be productive. He noted that at the supervisory level the programme is already reaping rewards as it helps officers to learn the ‘dos and don’ts in getting the best out of people’.

The workshops were hosted by the St.Vincent and the Grenadines Employers Federation.(HN)