– force undertakes to improve image, relations with public
AT the recently concluded Guyana Police Officers’ Annual Conference at the Police Officers’ Mess Annexe, Eve Leary, Georgetown, several matters were discussed, including police corruption and policing of the interior. Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, speaking at the closing ceremony, said there were lengthy discussions and significant participation from officers; and that a number of issues critical to the enhancement of police operational capabilities and the improvement of the working environment of police ranks were addressed.
These included:
> Crime scene management
> Crime investigation
> Joint operations of the Disciplined Services
> Response capability to incidents of crime
> Border security and interior policing
> Prosecution in the courts
> Land and water transportation
> Police/community relations
> Local and overseas training
> Traffic management
> Human rights
> Domestic violence
> Community policing
> Station Management Committees
> The crime observatory
> The Force’s Strategic Plan 2011-2015
> Corruption
> The succession plan within the Police Military Band, MS
> Launching of the Guyana Association of Policewomen

The minister added that the Police Officers’ Annual Conference 2012 concluded with the traditional Mess Dinner at the Police Officers’ Mess, where nine (9) officers with an accumulated total of three hundred and twelve (312) years of service were dined out, while thirty (30) newly promoted officers were dined in.
Rohee said that between Thursday, March 1 and Saturday, March 3, 2012, 164 officers of the Guyana Police Force attended the Police Officers’ Annual Conference which was held under the theme: “Enhancing Community Safety and Security through Partnerships, Professionalism, Reform and Strategic Management”.
He added that issues raised by His Excellency, President Donald Ramotar, in his maiden address at the opening of the conference included the modernisation of the GPF, training for the growth and development of the force, police corruption, drug trafficking, succession planning, piracy, intelligence-led crime fighting, traffic, piracy, and enhancing police/community relations.
Rohee noted that participants at the conference were delighted and greatly encouraged by President Ramotar’s commendation in recognition of the sterling performance of the Guyana Police Force during the recent general elections, and in ending the heightened incidence of violent crimes involving the use of firearms a few years ago, when he said, “I salute our officers and men of the Guyana Police Force, who helped to bring an end to the infamous crime wave that they endured in the early years of this century; and I pay tribute especially to the men who lost their lives so we could rid ourselves of the pestilence of these gangs.”
The minister said that the conference noted the President’s expectation of increased accountability and care of the property of the State, and for the force to continue to work to improve its image with the public. “This can yield a great dividend for the Guyana Police Force, since, as is well known, the support of the public is extremely important in crime-fighting. An improved public image will attract more recruits into the force. As such, I urge that greater attention be paid to making the force more pleasing in the eyes of the public…. Building trust and confidence is a vital aspect of crime-fighting,” President Ramotar said.
Rohee noted that the conference took cognizance of the President’s announcement that the government will continue to strengthen the institution of the Guyana Police Force by providing it with the requisite resources and the enabling legal framework with which to undertake its work; and to engage with other stakeholders, both local and international, in advancing the cause of security in Guyana, and the assigning of high priority to assisting the police with resources to ensure the gathering of intelligence-driven evidence.
He stated that the conference paid heed to His Excellency, the President’s call for the rooting out of all forms of corruption in the  force with more vigour, and also agreed to work assiduously in keeping with his charge to the leadership of the force.
“The Government of Guyana’s vision for the Guyana Police Force is that, in the short and long terms, it should develop into an organisation that is efficient, effective, working closer with the community, and (is) firm in the suppression of all forms of criminal activities. I would like the Guyana Police Force to become even more professional and responsive to the needs of our society. I call on you to work with me to ensure that the people of the country feel safe in the society, so that we can all continue our legitimate activities to build a country of peace, progress and prosperity. This is the charge that I give you today,” President Ramotar said.
Acting Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell, DSM, in his address, emphasised that the Guyana Police Force will continue its strategic pro-active approach towards dealing with crime, using intelligence-gathering and crime-prevention and crime-detection activities; while collaborating with its auxiliaries and government and non-governmental organisations, as well as with members of the public in the various communities.