–as GPF works for improved public image
ACTING Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell said on Thursday that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) will focus on improving its rapport with the public, and will strongly address the reports and incidents of misconduct and corruption of its ranks. He was addressing the gathering at the annual Police Officers’ Conference at Police Officers’ Mess Annexe, Eve Leary, where he sounded that the behaviour of some ranks is a concern to the Force, and has engaged the attention of the senior management. He noted that is has hampered the good work of the GPF, since there have been reports of indiscipline and neglect of duties, and there are incidents in which the Anti-Crime Unit patrols are engaged in traffic duties and making demands on motorists.
Brumell added that the GPF will continue its strategic, proactive approach toward dealing with crime, using intelligence-gathering, crime prevention and crime detection activities. He noted that there will also be collaboration with governmental and non-governmental organizations and the public, and a better rapport will be established with the public, since it is an area that has put a damper on the GPF’s image.
The Top Cop said that reports of misconduct, including corruption, have been received, and are being dealt with by the Office of Professional Responsibilities (OPR). He related that, currently, 78 ranks are before the courts on criminal charges.
Brumell pointed out that a group of officers will be looking at police corruption during the conference, and training will also be a major focus.

Narcotics and cannabis sativa seizures of GPF
Acting Commissioner Brumell added that the GPF has recorded a lot of successes, with two major busts in 2011 which led to arrests and charges being instituted.
He said that, in 2011, police seized and destroyed 885.034 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa (marijuana), compared with 191.882 kilogrammes in 2010; and 411.138 kg of cocaine were seized in 2011, in comparison with 134 kg in 2010.
Also, during 2011, police charged 135 persons for offences related to cocaine, and 481 persons for offences related to cannabis sativa.
Brumell stated that most of the cannabis sativa destroyed were seized in operations in the Upper Berbice River and along the Linden/Soesdyke Highway, and the force continues to maintain focus on working with local and international law enforcement agencies in the fight against drug trafficking.
He added that the amount of firearms that pass through Guyana’s porous borders is also a cause for concern, but the force has made serious efforts and netted 125 illegal guns in 2011.
Brumell said, “This is a momentum that has been maintained from previous years.”

Traffic statistics
Giving a review of the traffic statistics, he said that in “Operation Safeway”, conducted by the Traffic Department of the GPF, at the end of February 2012, there were 17 recorded fatalities, compared with 21 in 2011. Three of those killed were pedestrians, while six were pedal cyclists.
Brumell added that the traffic education in schools is also a priority, and the police will continue their public education campaign also.