MINISTER of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan has urged Policemen to take care of the vehicles under their control and to abstain from driving under the influence of alcohol.The Minister handed over 15 new vehicles to the Police at the Tactical Services Unit Square, Police Headquarters, Eve Leary.
“Police drinking and driving as we have seen on many occasions is not going to do justice to the fact that we are spending millions and hundreds of millions of dollars on assets and then they are crashed, then they have to be repaired and the police are also injured in many cases,” Ramjattan underscored.
Senior heads and officers of the GPF were present at the ceremony at which Minister Ramjattan said that asset building is part of government’s plan to enhance the force to clamp down on crime.
Minister Ramjattan also revealed that in budget 2016, his Ministry will be negotiating for 28 more vehicles. Pointing out that this is needed for the jubilee celebrations, Minister Ramjattan said the vehicles will definitely bolster the capacity of the GPF to aid in rapid response to criminal activities.
Assistant Police Commissioner David Ramnarine urged the Commanders to enforce the system in place to improve vehicle maintenance.
“I want to say that these vehicles obviously are now needed; and it’s once again a significant supply; and I want to thank the Minister and by extension the government for realizing the need and many demands we in the force have to meet in our daily operations and operational efficiency and visibility,” he said.
He explained that members of the public are always complaining about poor response to crime, but it has been well publicized that the police force has been making great strides in detection of serious crimes.
According to Ramnarine, the detection and prevention of crime is hand in gloves and from a prevention standpoint, the vehicles are necessary since the police force wants to maintain a high level of security during the jubilee celebrations.