By Rabindra Rooplall

WITH the solving of a few high-profile cases and the acquisition of modern crime-fighting equipment, acting Commissioner of Police, David Ramnarine says the Guyana Police Force (GPF) now has the capacity and capability in the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) that is unparalleled.“We have a major crimes management investigation unit that is doing excellent work. We have the first of its kind in the Caribbean – a forensic video analysis unit – we have recently increased some 100 ranks in the CID department,” Mr. Ramnarine told a press conference on Friday. He said currently there is a junior investigators course that has 30 participants all for the CID.

Adding that a lot of what the GPF is currently benefitting from is directly related to the trust and confidence that the Justice Education Society of Canada has in the Government of Guyana, the Commissioner said much needed training has been provided for crime scene investigators, technicians, prosecutors and even magistrates surrounding the understanding of forensic video analysis system and its working.

As a result, he said many requests are made to the police force for crimes that occurred years and decades ago to be reopened. “We are convinced that we now have a capacity and capability in the Criminal Investigation Department of this force that is unparalleled, and that is why a number of persons who have been victims of serious crimes some time ago are coming for us to reopen these cases.”

Meanwhile, the Top Cop noted that the GPF is changing in an increasingly positive direction as it continues to forge, build and sustain valuable relationships and partnerships. He said that this is paramount in the realm of public safety and security. As it relates to the relationship between members of the public and the GPF, Ramnarine said that the force has been doing community-based youth work countrywide.

“It has been determined that our traditional approach to crime is not sufficient anymore, and, on the account that criminologist studies have revealed that crimes are generally a product of youth and masculinity and that the tendency to commit a crime diminishes as one grows older,” he asserted.

Ramnarine pointed out that, “We decided for the larger part of two years or more to focus on the youths, to increase our engagements of this country.” He referred to the recent Youth Ambassador Pageant that was hosted earlier this month by ‘A’ Division and a Youth Camp that was recently held on the Soesdyke/Linden highway, where over 100 children benefitted.

He explained that in a developing country, the ultimate goal of policing must surely be to assist in creating an environment where citizens can work, live and play in relative peace, harmony and tranquility. “We have our unique challenges in this facet of public security, both human and material, but we do not and will not own up to the criticism in a negative way. We will own up to the criticisms and use them in a positive way, because that is the best way forward,” the acting Top Cop asserted.

He said that the force has a serious responsibility, more serious than any agency or institution in this country, because of its unique responsibility of discharging a mandate of law and order, curtailing the freedom of individuals who run afoul of the law.

However, he added that a large percentage of the police force at the lower level consists of young members that are lacking much needed experience, patients and tolerance. However, the management of the police force is working on these members. “There has to be constant supervision and remind them that they have taken an oath to serve, they wear a uniform of the state, and even though they are equipped with basic knowledge. Over and above that from a law enforcement perspective, of the average civilian, they are there to serve and that their conduct and the discharge of those responsibilities is always under focus.”