Credibility builds trust and confidence

Rohee tells ‘G’ Division CPG
MINISTER of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, on Saturday last urged members of the ‘G’ Division Community Policing Group (CPG) at the Aurora Secondary School, Essequibo Coast, to recognise their deficiencies and not deny it since it would impact on their credibility.

He told the large gathering that credibility builds trust and confidence which in turn builds support in the community and it is very applicable to CPG members who are inevitably in the public domain and come under scrutiny like the police.
“It is only fair that they have expectations of you and as such you must act in a just and unbiased way which speaks of commitment and dedication,” Rohee said.

The minister urged the current CPG members to bring back past members to the group, which he credited the CPG as an exclusive club and recognised the need for its expansion.
He also congratulated the CPG for their work in that area and said based on recommendations and discussions the ‘G’ Division Retreat could be termed successful thus far.
He said that the work of the CPG is voluntary and are assumed by citizens in various parts of the country in the recognition of the need to give back to the community in a tangible form.
The minister added that CPG’s presence in the community takes various forms by way of foot, vehicle, bicycle, motorcycle and boat patrols in the community and its environs to ensure the safety of residents after a hard day’s work they can rest even though some exercise deviant behaviours.
He noted that CPG is seen by the government as a total crime strategy and not in isolation but an organisation which is closely related to the law enforcement agencies and also reminded the CPG members of their role in the area they live. “Some people are misinformed as to the role of the CPG,” Rohee lamented.
He explained that it was never the intention of the CPG to deal with hardcore criminals as the police are trained to do but the role of the CPG is to assist the police in having safer communities as such they are considered the ‘eyes and ears’ of their communities.
He pointed out that the CPG plays a vital role in providing the necessary information to the police also since the police do not have the resources to be everywhere on a 24-hour basis and that is why police stations in districts are there to respond promptly and effectively to reports.
Rohee told the gathering that they are in receipt of complaints that when citizens visit or call a police station they are told that there aren’t enough ranks or there is no vehicle to respond to reports of incidents of crimes.
Meanwhile, Divisional Commander, Mr. Dale Alves in remarks said that there is a need for the police and CPG to work collaboratively and the event was necessary to empower and built such relations.
He also outlined the role of the CPG in support of the police and also talked about crime prevention in the area.
Regional Chairman Ali Baksh, who recognised the seriousness of the event on Saturday, which said there is a need for more action and less talk.
He said that decisive action brings about positive results which are needed in Essequibo in terms of the levels of crimes that have seeped into all parts of the country and noted too that crime fighting is not an easy task.
The Regional Chairman urged the CPG gathering to exercise discipline at all times for society to respond and give genuine assistance.
Following the Minister’s address the CPG members were arranged into three groups in which sessions were held to discuss several topics which include problems affecting CPG (cause and cure); and how to build and expand CPG; how to build better relations between the CPG and the Police.
In conclusion the groups reported on their discussions which were describe as favourable by Rohee who also told the gathering that he will be meeting residents of Mahdia this month to impress on them the importance of the formation of CPG and an auxiliary arm of the Guyana Fire Service (GFS).
He added that the recommendations will be compiled and submitted to the Home affairs Ministry and a programme of action will follow.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

All our printed editions are available online
emblem3
Subscribe to the Guyana Chronicle.
Sign up to receive news and updates.
We respect your privacy.