Greene highlights rigorous traffic campaign in operations review
COMMISSIONER Henry Greene, reviewing the operations of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Thursday, said it has continued a rigorous traffic campaign aimed at reducing road fatalities. Addressing the Annual Police Officers’ Conference at the Officers’ Mess Annexe, Eve Leary, Georgetown, he said, it started since they were given some radar guns, which they used effectively and managed to reduce the deaths.
Mr. Greene said, in 2009 there were 99 deaths, the lowest in 39 years, because of the work of the police and, continuing that enforcement with the added breathalyser resulted in 101 deaths, which figure is not extremely significant, as compared to previous years.
However, he blamed fatal accidents on the road users of today, because of their irresponsible behaviour.
Greene said children’s fatalities were significantly reduced in 2007 but 10 were recorded in 2008, seven in 2009 and 18 in 2010.
In comparison, he said:“In 2006, we had 21 children fatalities and the numbers rose. Now, with education, they are becoming traffic wise, are more sensitive to how they operate on the roads and, again, road users are more aware of the needs and plight of children on our roads on a daily basis.”
Greene told the gathering that the GPF is undertaking a review of its goals, strategic and modernisation plans and a team of consultants have looked at taking the institution to where it wants.
For that purpose, the GPF has acquired modern electronic systems to retrieve data and remains committed to re-examining training needs, although having completed 24 courses, which varied from general duties to criminal investigations, that produced a refined package, he said.
Greene also mentioned a review of the Standing Orders and accountability in relation to financial matters in the Force.
He said:“Each officer, here, understands that they are accountable to the people and that is an area we will also examine. We also have our softer side of the Force working with communities on policing to help fight crime and share traffic management.”
According to him, civilians are on board in a trained group, who complement the Force.
About what he called the softer side of the GPF, Greene said it adopted the (Georgetown) Seawall Band Stand and made sure that the area was restored to its former pristine glory.
“In this light, the GPF is not all about guns but also works with communities which have a civilian input. The GPF continues to work with youths in its Scout Group, the Rosemary Lane Outreach Programme in Tiger Bay, which is now a club and several youth groups were established countrywide,” he reported.
Greene said the focus is to assist young people and make them productive youths, by teaching them computer skills towards part of development for which they are striving.
He said management and supervision, attitudes, values and accounts of the Officers’ Mess Committee will also be examined at the conference, in which 31 Cadet Officers are participating.
Alluding to the attitudes of some police ranks and their deviant conduct, Greene revealed that 80 of them are before the courts and reassured that the GPF will not condone such misbehaviour.