Police Sergeant of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and resident of Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), Carl Pedro will walk across the stage at the University of Guyana’s 2025 Convocation to receive his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) – a milestone he says was built on “sacrifice, commitment and faith.”
Police Sergeant of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and resident of Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), Carl Pedro
The University is set to host its 2025 Convocation from November 22 to December 6.
Pedro, who is attached to the Traffic Department, already holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Management from UG, but said studying law was always his dream, and that desire became stronger after joining the Police Force.
“Pursuing law has always been a personal dream of mine, and it grew stronger when I joined the Guyana Police Force,” he said. “It demanded a great deal of sacrifice, commitment, and faith.”
Balancing full-time policing with a full-time law programme proved to be one of his toughest challenges. Long days on the road, traffic supervision, late-night incidents and court-related duties often left him exhausted.
“As the saying goes, ‘Law is a jealous mistress’, and that proved true,” Sgt. Pedro recalled. “Sometimes I got home after hours in the sun, and studying felt almost impossible.”
His final year became even more demanding after he was transferred to the East La Penitence Police Station and placed in charge of the Traffic Department there.
Despite missing several classes in the first semester because of operational duties and supervising ranks, he still passed all his courses with above-average grades.
Pedro said many nights were spent studying straight into the morning, fuelled by coffee, then reporting for duty in dark shades to hide tired eyes.
On one occasion, while studying around midnight, he received a call about a fatal accident and had to close his books, respond to the scene, then resume his studies afterwards.
The journey was not only academic, but financial.
“The Law programme was costly at the time, so it was challenging,” he said, adding that he was grateful to the Government of Guyana for abolishing tuition fees in his final year, which allowed him and other students to complete the programme.
He credited Attorney General Anil Nandlall, S.C., for inspiring him through his courtroom advocacy, and hailed lecturers Neville Bissember and Christopher Ram for making the law “come alive” in the classroom through real-world examples.
He also noted that although he came from Stewartville Secondary, which is not considered an elite school, he still performed on par with students from top institutions.
Because of his performance, Pedro was among the top 25 students selected to attend the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad and Tobago, where he is now pursuing his Legal Education Certificate (LEC).
However, the financial strain continues.
“I applied for study leave and didn’t get a response, so I had to use annualised vacation leave to study,” he said. “I also asked the Guyana Police Force for sponsorship because tuition, accommodation and other costs in Trinidad are very challenging. I am already experiencing financial difficulties, but I will not give up.”
Pedro said his story proves that working adults, police ranks, and young people from modest backgrounds can still pursue higher education.
“You don’t have to come from a top school, you don’t have to be financially secure. Once you are consistent, disciplined, and trust God’s timing, He will make a way,” he encouraged.
He thanked his mother, his “greatest supporter”, and the staff of the University of Guyana Library for their assistance throughout the programme.
The University of Guyana, which will host its 2025 Convocation over two weeks, has produced more than 70,000 graduates in its 62-year history.
[Modified from the Department of Events of Events, Conferences and Communication (DECC), Office of the Vice-Chancellor, University of Guyana]
