Georgetown: Although challenged by an alarming staff turn-over rate which peaked last year, the City Constabulary is prepared to utilize available resources to the fullest, even as it latches on to hope that there will be a marked improvement in its operation this year. This disclosure was made by Chief Constable, Andrew Foo, during an interview with this publication. At the moment the Constabulary has a shortfall of just about 154, as according to Foo the ideal manpower strength is 314. The most recent recruitment drive was held two years ago and a number of those recruited have gravitated to other service-oriented careers.
Currently there are 160 Constables on the municipal payroll, 77 of whom are dedicated to rotational duty between the markets, daycares and other entities that fall under the governance of the municipality. Constables are also tasked with supporting various departments of the municipality undertaking roles such as escorts and internal security.
Another four ranks, according to Foo are dedicated to monitoring sections of the city which have been impacted by a heavy presence of litter.
As part of its mandate, the City Constabulary is required to ensure that persons do not litter the city, an undertaking which has been very challenging given the limited human resources available to the Department. It is for this reason Foo said that the municipality is earnestly seeking the support of members of the public in undertaking its litter prevention duty. Among the areas that have been extremely challenging of recent is the Stabroek Market Car Park, which Foo described as “a very contentious area. Notwithstanding the Constabulary has a responsibility and we are depending on not only the police but we are appealing to all members of the public to report these acts when they see them occurring and we will act on it.” 
The Constabulary’s jurisdiction is bordered by Industry to the East, Agricola to the south, the Demerara River to the West and the Atlantic to the north. However, although furnished with a fleet of five vehicles, three of which are currently non-operational and a bicycle patrol which has become defunct, the efficiency of the Department is greatly hampered.
In addition to the evident shortcomings, Foo said that employed Constables are driven from the profession due to a number of reasons, primary among them the financial state of the municipality. “We need to be more aggressive and proactive and I hope with the assistance of the administration and the Public Relations Department we can appeal to more persons.”
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