… must also be an example of transparency and free of corruption, says President Ramotar
THE Government of Guyana’s short and long term vision for the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is that it should develop into an organisation that is efficient, effective, one which works closely with the community, and which is firm in the suppression of all forms of criminal activity. President Donald Ramotar, yesterday, made this pronouncement while addressing the opening of the Police Officers Annual Conference, at the Police Officers Mess Annexe, Eve Leary, where dozens of representatives from the joint services gathered, along with members of the Diplomatic Corps.
In his first address at such a conference, the Head of State acknowledged that the GPF is one of the oldest institutions in the country, with a strong and proud tradition of service to the people of Guyana. He encouraged the officers and ranks present to embrace the responsibility of taking the organisation forward in new times, to build on the rich tradition and to make it one that all Guyanese can be proud of.
According to the President, the social and economic progress and the security of the nation are closely correlated.
“It is for this reason that successive PPP/C governments have worked hard to improve the conditions of this glorious institution. In 1992, many of the police stations were in a state of neglect, the number of vehicles was limited, the dilapidated physical environment in which the ranks were asked to worked sapped their motivation and morale, the shortage of vehicles and equipment hampered their response to crime. One of our earliest priorities was to recapitalise the police force and in so doing to restore greater confidence to police men and to police women,” he explained.
Testimony to this is the fact that, in 1992, the total capital expenditure for the Guyana Police Force was $45.5M; but for last year alone, in comparison, the government spent $484.3M on the force, and this allowed an increased injection of resources so as to improve the crime fighting capabilities, through the continued acquisition and replenishing of vehicles, equipment and supplies.
As a result, ranks of the force became better equipped to discharge their duties, the President said.
Alluding to additional efforts to strengthen the force’s capacity, he said, “We also enhanced the legislative framework to support the effort of the police; among the laws enacted as part of the new legislative architecture, geared towards improved crime fighting, were those to facilitate improved surveillance, and permitting the acceptance of audio/ video testimony in the courts. This is complemented by the promotion of extension mechanisms so as to achieve great synergies and cooperation between the police and the wider society.”

Modernisation and Training
The president also explained that, in an effort to modernise the process of crime solving and monitoring capabilities of the force, the government has established the crime observatory, which has among its responsibilities mapping crime trends within society and compiling statistics to guide policy making.
“At present, a crime lab is being constructed; and this, when completed and equipped, will allow us the benefit of some of the most advanced, scientific, forensic tools. These capabilities, as we have seen in other parts of the world, have a significant impact on the success of crime solving and crime prosecution. We have also encouraged a wide range of training programmes, including overseas training, so as to better equip our ranks to be more effective and efficient in their jobs.” Ramotar continued.
The objective of the government is to ensure that there will be long term sustainability of the senior and middle management structure of the force, which can only bring benefits to the organisation.

Facing Challenges
Despite the many successes, the Head of State noted that the Guyana Police Force has faced many challenges, primary among which is the infiltration of drugs into the country.
This, he said, remains a major issue for the peace-loving, law-abiding people of Guyana, since the “scourge” has spawned “unprecedented levels of violence and criminal activities which have had a corrupting influence on society.”
As to the most effective way this can be addressed, he said, “The fight against drug trafficking and its potential ills has demanded a greater effort from our law enforcement agencies, including the GPF; this problem has also been identified as one of the global problems of our times. Defeating this will call for a new mindset and a moving away from traditional approaches to problems.  This is why encouraging closer cooperation of the various branches of the security forces is important in maximising our resources.”
In this regard, President Ramotar expressed satisfaction that the leadership of the security forces has fully grasped the significance of this   and have all done well to promote this method of work.
“Having identified this as a global problem means that cooperation is needed to deal with the problem. We are doing just that, improving cooperation with our neighbours, the region, and the hemisphere, and we have already been holding talks to enhance joint work against all types of crimes,” he revealed.
He also took the opportunity to encourage the members of the force to foster stronger ties with communities in their overall efforts of fighting crime.
Ramotar also acknowledged the successful efforts in tackling the upsurge of gang-related crime, and applauded the officers responsible for dealing with this, including those who lost their lives in the struggle.
He pointed to the advantages of the joint services approach to dealing with incidents of piracy, as well as crimes in the remote mining areas of Guyana.
On the issue of tackling domestic violence, which, according to the President, accounts for a high percentage of murders, GPF ranks were encouraged to adopt a more specialised approach to the issue.
As to the importance of this, Ramotar said, “The police must take this seriously; every report must be acted upon, for neglecting to do this has resulted in the tragic loss of lives.”

Tackling Corruption
President Ramotar also took note of the recent incidents involving ranks in the force, which he said, “have not helped in fostering the good image” of the GPF.
He charged those present to strive to negate the negative image and to recapture the trust of the public, by tackling ills facing the organisation head on.
He stated, “In the first place, corruption must be dealt with condignly; you cannot deny that few members have been tarnishing the good image of the organsiation. All forms of corruption in the force must be rooted out with vigour. This organisation must become an example of cleanliness and transparency in our society.”
The need for greater professionalism and commitment was also advocated for by the Head of State, who maintained that government is committed to the principal of the rule of law and to the equality of all citizens before the law.
Speaking pointedly on the issue of corruption in the force, Ramotar said, “If there are alleged transgressors in the midst, the law should take its course and they should be judged before law, and not in the court of public opinion. We should strive to be a country in which right prevails over might, justice overcomes the wrong, and where every member of society feels valued, free, and secure.”
In closing, the President encouraged the members of the Police Force to become even more responsive to needs of the society and to work with him to ensure that the citizenry feels safe and so they can continue to build a country of peace, progress and prosperity.
Also addressing the opening ceremony were the Commissioner of Police (ag), Mr. Leroy Brumell, Assistant Commissioner, Mr. George Vyphuis and Assistant Superintendent, Mr. Mahendra Singh.