Sheriff Security dominated the 2024 Guyana Association of Private Security Organizations (GAPSO) Awards Ceremony held on Thursday night, securing 13 of the 26 prestigious accolades. The awards celebrated exceptional performance, innovation, and dedication within the private security sector.
Sheriff Security received top honors, including the Best Security Service Company of the Year Award, Best New Security Product of the Year Award, and Best Alarm Installation Team of the Year Award. Additionally, the company also clinched awards for Best Maritime Services Provider of the Year, Best Cash-in-Transit Services Provider, and Best Alarm Monitoring Services Provider, affirming its position as a leader in the industry.
Notably, Guyana Standard was awarded the Best Security Industry Journalism of the Year Award. Standard was recognized for its outstanding contributions to journalism, receiving an award for excellence in delivering timely, accurate, and impactful reporting of the security industry.
GAPSO President, Christopher Thompson opened the event with remarks highlighting the significance of the private security sector in supporting national security.
“It is indeed a pleasure to welcome you to this annual event. More so, because it has risen in its magnitude… that show began 1996 with four companies, and it has grown in strength…” Thompson said. He highlighted the importance of common training practices, and ensuring members adhere to high standards of discipline and professionalism.
National Security Advisor, Captain Gerry Gouveia in his remarks underscored the private sector’s crucial role in national security and prosperity.
He noted that the private security sector in Guyana is a cornerstone of the national security framework. With approximately 20,000 to 30,000 personnel employed—it possesses more than the combined human resource strength of the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force, thereby making the private security sector a vital role in maintaining safety and stability.
He outlined that as Guyana transforms into one of the wealthiest countries in the region, driven by significant oil revenues, the private security sector must prepare for emerging challenges.
Gouveia noted that criminal elements will inevitably target this newfound wealth, and their readiness will be essential to counter these threats. “Every one of you in this room that manages these security companies must understand what is going to happen to Guyana in four to five years…you must be prepared to meet the challenges that are going to come before us…what do you think will come along that road as well, people who are eyeing Guyana’s wealth and the opportunities that criminal minds will be contemplating,” he noted.
Further, Gouveia noted that national security and national development are deeply interconnected, stating that there is no prosperity without security. He said that the government has been actively retooling and retraining the security forces.
“We have a lot of early warning systems, and I want to assure you as well that we are also very aware of what is happening along our border,” he assured.
“So, there’s a lot of work going on at the state, but the state can’t do it alone, and this is why I believe that GAPSO is such an important part of this development,” he underscored.
The list of award winners:
President’s Award – Professional Guard Services
Lifetime Achievement Award – Mr. Maurice Amres
Leading Visionary in Private Security of the Year Award – Mr. Ameir Ahmad
New Security Services Company of the Year Award – ControlRisks Guyana Services Inc
Best Security Service Company of the Year Award – Sheriff Security
Most Inspirational Female CEO in Security of the Year Award – Ms. Radica Ramdeen
Best Female Security Entrepreneur of the Year Award – Ms. Radica Ramdeen
Best Security Chairman of the Year Award – Mr. Ameir Ahmad
Best Security Operations Manager of the Year Award – Mr. Paul Defraitas
Best Security Supervisor of the Year Award – Ms. Belinda Roberts-Joseph
Best Security Officer of the Year Award – Mr. Bhiro Samuel
Best Aviation Security Services Provider of the Year Award – Roraima Aviation Security
Best Cash-in-Transit Services Provider of the Year Award – Sheriff Security
Best Armed Mobile Patrol Services of the Year Award – MMC Security Force
Best Maritime Services Provider of the Year Award – Sheriff Security
Best Executive Protection Services Provider of the Year Award – Blackstone Defense
Group
Best Event Security Services Company of the Year Award – Blackstone Defense Group
Best Alarm Monitoring Services Provider of the Year Award – Sheriff Security
Best Security Consultant of the Year Award – Central Advisory & Investigative Services
Inc.
Best Government Security Services Contractor of the Year Award – Hoosein Security Inc.
Best Residential Security Services Provider of the Year Award – IC Diplomatic Security
Guyana Inc.
Best Commercial Security Services Provider of the Year Award – Sheriff Security
Best Security Training Instructor of the Year Award – Mr. Clairmont Featherstone
Best New Security Product of the Year Award – Sheriff Security
Best Alarm Installation Team of the Year Award – Sheriff Security
Best Security Industry Journalism of the Year Award – Guyana Standard
