Georgetown: The Guyana Police Force (GPF) needing some 458 more ranks, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan has called on Amerindians to join the Force or become members of Community Policing Groups (CPGs).
The minister made the call during a presentation at the National Toshaos Council’s conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Thursday.
“I am pleading with our Amerindian brothers and sisters that I would like, especially the young men and women, especially if they can articulate well in English language, to join the Police Force so that you can go back to your communities and serve in a greater capacity,” Minister Ramjattan said.
Noting that there will be more benefits and allowances for persons who take up the opportunity, he said: “We are going to ensure that our young Amerindian applicants are assisted.”
He noted that if residents of hinterland communities are reluctant to join the Police Force, they can instead become voluntary members of community policing group.
If no such group exists in the communities, Minister Ramjattan urged the toshaos to submit the names of persons who are willing to serve the Force to the Ministry of Public Security.
He said that through various budgetary allocations, CPGs will be provided with the necessary vehicles and supplies to carry out their duties.
The minister also urged the toshaos to report bad behaviour and allegations of misconduct of law enforcement officers.
“Every single report of misconduct is investigated, and if we have to do a transfer or termination in the interest of the Police Force… I concede that there are rogue elements in the Force, and a number of them have been terminated,” Minister Ramjattan said.
He said that police stations in the hinterland will be upgraded in order to house female ranks to address certain crimes.
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Paul Williams, who was present at the event, told the gathering that a meeting will be held with the toshaos, and that at another GPF performance meeting, issues on assistance for the hinterlands will be discussed.
He said one of the challenges is finding persons who could speak their native language and English in order to aid the police in their operations within hinterland communities.
The deputy commissioner also said focus will be placed on having more female ranks within hinterland communities to assist with various cases where women are affected.
“Definitely, we would like to see the relationship with the toshaos strengthened,” Williams said.
He urged all toshaos to assist residents in filing complaints in the form of statements, and to ensure the complainant assists with the respective investigation. He noted that the use of smart phones in capturing wrongdoing is an addition to assist police.
Many of the toshaos at the event complained of the need for more vehicles in the hinterland to assist the police; the need for renovations of police stations; more police outposts; and the need to clamp down on an alarming increase in the use of marijuana.
Also underscored at the meeting was the need for police ranks to be more professional in executing their duties.
You must be logged in to post a comment.