Georgetown : President Donald Ramotar speaking to members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) at the opening of their Annual Police Officer’s Conference said Professionalism, knowledge, people skills, firmness and fairness must be a hallmark of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in the discharge of its duties, as in so doing, ranks will inspire public confidence and trust, and be looked upon as role models for the career oriented and patriotic. He called on officers follow the Peelian Principles of Policing as set out by the late Sir Robert Peel, founder of the London Metropolitan Police Force in 1829. These, he said, were the technical principles, which though instituted as a guide for colonial police in the colonies of the United Kingdom, still had much relevance to today’s world.
He said Sir Peel’s basic guidelines for ethical policing are: every police officer should bear visibly an Identification Number to ensure accountability for his or her actions; whether the police are effective or not is not measured in the number of arrests, but on the lack of crime; trust and accountability are paramount; preventive policing to deter crime; and the most important and essential police work is accomplished on patrol in which officers become acquainted with their beats, prevent crime and by their mere presence, respond to crimes in progress, manage crises, and practice their skills.
The police command were urged by the president to lead by example and to “have its fingers on the pulse of all areas of Guyana” by knowing where persons reside, the locations on their businesses, the assets of local and foreign investors, where vehicles, aircraft and boats operate and where the entry and exit points of the borders are, and people are expected to comply with the laws and regulations.
He said those who are found in contravention of the Police Act and guilty of acting in contravention of their mandate, will be dealt with.
The Community Policing Groups, it was noted by President Ramotar are doing a commendable job for the most part, but others are using their membership to leverage for their individual agendas. This, the president stressed, will not be tolerated, “Betrayal of the code of ethics is cowardly and unacceptable behaviour. It must not be tolerated, and allowed to fester”.
Meanwhile newly confirmed Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud said that in the past year, issues such as public trust, crime and traffic, and improved service to the public were the prime focus of the GPF, and much has been achieved. He explained that all of the first year strategic priority objectives were achieved, with regards to the Police Strategic Plan. Among the goals was the partnering with the United States, Pennsylvania Police Department, to realise first world practices, locally.
There was also the expansion of the COPS and Faith Initiative, to provide counselling for families affected by instances of crimes. A Chaplain Service is also providing services to police ranks after violent encounters with criminals. This will take place wherever ranks are based in the ten administrative regions. A suicide hot-line is set to be launched in the near future, the commissioner also said.
The well received Social Crime Prevention Programme has successfully expanded from its initial startup in A-Division, he added. Two certifying officers are now permanently attached to the Kuru Kuru Training College, to ensure that every graduate successfully obtains his or her driver’s licence.
The Drug Abuse and resistance education programme has also been reintroduced and more than 1,768 students from 48 schools have benefited. The Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) was established and successfully resulted in several money seizures after money laundering investigations. An Audit and Inspection Office has also been set up to better account for financial resources obtained. Each division now has a Management Information Unit to facilitate continuous analysis and monitoring of areas (hot spots) that need specific intervention. Following consultations, in hinterland communities, a plan is now being implemented to engage more closely with the private sector organisations, Natural Resources Ministry and the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs with regards to law enforcement requirements.
In closing, Commissioner Seelall revealed that there was a 31% increase in fatal accidents for 2014 compared to 2013, for 2015; thus far however, there has been a 30% decrease relative to the same period last year. For serious crimes, there was a reported 15% decrease at the end of 2014, relative to 2013. There has been a 3% reduction thus far in serious crimes compared to the same period last year, he noted.
The current period leading into elections has resulted in inter agency collaboration being at its highest, and adequate security is in place, the commissioner said.
The conference will review the 2014 initiatives and plans and those proposed for 2015, he added. It is being held under theme, “Providing effective security through partnership, enhanced public trust and capacity building”.
You must be logged in to post a comment.