COMMISSIONER of Police Seelall Persaud while addressing the Annual Police Officers’ Conference yesterday said that the force recognizes its security responsibilities for the upcoming elections.He said that while a lot of internal work is being done by the force in this regard, the issue of elections is also being addressed at the level of the Joint Services where international inter-agency collaboration at this particular time is at its highest.

ADEQUATE SECURITY
According to Persaud, the police will deliver adequate security for the conduct of the current campaign period ahead of the elections, on elections day itself and the period after.
The top Cop also assured Commander-in-Chief Donald Ramotar who was attending the formal opening of the Annual Police Officers’ Conference at Eve Leary that the charge which was given to them last year has been implemented in the programme of activities during last year and up to the time of this year’s conference.
He also used the opportunity to touch on the issue of crime and security, stating that the Guyana Police Force has seen an overall three percent decrease in serious crimes for the corresponding period last year and a twenty-eight percent decrease in gun-related robberies.
Referring to the implementation of the first year strategic plan, Seelall said that with the exception of a few items which are works in progress all other aspects have been implemented.
He pointed to the issues of public trust, crime and traffic as some of the issues as well as improving the level of service provided to the Guyanese people, noting that those were the main aims and they were achieved.
According to Commissioner Persaud, the achievements have proven that the infrastructure which the force has implemented has worked. He said that with the continued implementation of various infrastructure, the trends are likely to continue.
The Police Officers’ Conference which wraps up tomorrow is expected to focus on several aspects of police operations and service to the public.
Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, Commissioner Persaud explained that the issues to be addressed are of utmost importance to the Guyana Police Force and the service it provides to the country.
He explained that this year’s conference would be receiving an update on the decisions which were taken at the last conference.

Commissioner Seelall Persaud has also stated that on the agenda, as expected, are the issues of traffic and crime.

Speaking with the media on Tuesday after he was officially confirmed as the country’s Top Cop, Seelall told reporters that for the year 2014 it was not happy sailing for the Guyana Police Force in dealing with the issue of traffic.

“Work has started, last year was a bad year for us in traffic, most of the fatal accidents are caused by speeding and drunk driving and that has been two things that we are targeting,” Seelall remarked.

Between today and tomorrow the officers will also be addressed by the Top Cop himself and President Ramotar who will be delivering the feature address.

Guyana Police Force legal advisor, Justice Claudette Singh will at one of the sessions address the officers on elections-related issues and the handling of potential matters that may arise.
The Cops and Faith Network will also be part of the sessions and prospective from the angle of the police and the faith organizations would also be presented to the conference coupled by reports on implemented aspects of the strategic plan presently being implemented by the force, proposals will also be considered.

Justice Cecil Kennard who heads the Police Complaints Authority will also be speaking at the conference as the senior officers would at some point of the conference deal with issues relating to their welfare and that of the junior ranks within the organization.
The burning issue of violence would also be up for discussion during the conference as well and the community-related projects which the force has so rigorously been implementing in several communities across the country and the various police divisions.

Officers will also be allowed to raise other issues of concern to them which is not on the conference agenda but for catered for in the sectioned titled “any other business”

By Leroy Smith