– now boast sound proof interview rooms, computers
THE Mahaica, Beterverwagting and Sparendaam Police Stations, all on the East Coast of Demerara, were recommissioned on Friday by Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, and acting Commissioner of Police, Leroy Brumell, as fully equipped modern stations. The three stations now boast sound proof interview rooms to accommodate members of the public when making reports of domestic abuse.
The entire Mahaica Police Station building was repainted and renovated under the Citizen Security Programme (CSP) and is fully air-conditioned and equipped with modern, computerized data system, all in the modernisation of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
CSP Coordinator Khemraj Rai, on Friday, told the gathering that 18 police stations were re-modelled.
Mr. Brumell said that, a few months ago, the Mahaica Police Station was in a bad state in terms of the building, but now the transformation is welcomed, the environment is user-friendly, and citizens can now make their reports in a better environment.
He urged ranks manning the station to behave professionally, to take all reports, especially those of domestic abuse; and act accordingly and not to just sit there and do nothing.
Brumell said: “Take the reports and act. Don’t sit and skin your teeth, but do your work. Keep the place clean, and also let the furniture remain as it is. And be good ambassadors of the GPF.”
He also encouraged the ranks to be attentive to all reports, and to always act professionally.
Addressing the gathering, Rohee said that police stations hold importance in the community. He noted the economic and social development in ‘C’ Division, and said there is a need for the maintenance of law and order.
He stated that there has been increased growth in the East Coast Demerara corridor, with the establishment of newer businesses and non-traditional activities, and there is a need for greater security for residents in this area.
Rohee added that the Mahaica Police Station, a public building, was renovated to enhance the face of the police. There have been reports that the ranks treat the public in a professional manner, but an advisory in the newspapers will be issued which will guide citizens appropriately.
He said: “You (ranks) don’t want to hear, well then you will feel.”
Meanwhile, at Beterverwagting Police Station, $17M was spent to rehabilitate the station. Interview rooms were built to accommodate persons making reports of domestic abuse in relative ease and confidentiality, with a senior officer listening in.
There is also an integrated crime information system, and user-friendly environment in which 318 ranks were trained.
Brumell told the ranks there that men can also visit these stations to make reports of domestic abuse at the hands of their wives without feeling embarrassed, since the interview rooms are secured and away from the public’s eyes.
He also asked ranks to take the reports and conduct themselves in a professional manner, since they have a responsibility to the community; and station supervisors should advise their ranks accordingly, as there have been reports of persons going to police stations to file a report and the ranks there speak to them in an unprofessional manner.
Brumell said: “Some ranks want to verbally abuse elderly persons at stations, and some of those same ranks cannot even do that at their own house. I don’t like it! And there is the other thing I heard (about) persons making reports having to hire a taxi to take the police to follow up on reports made. That is wrong! Residents should report these incidents, and action will be taken.”
However, at Beterverwagting, Rohee said the improved facilities at the station are “value for money” to address the issue of domestic abuse reporting, in which the interview rooms were designed for confidentiality and comfort for both ranks and citizens.
Rohee, quite upbeat on Friday, also lashed out at the Kaieteur News for plastering on their front pages photos of several public buildings which are in need of repairs.
Rohee said the Kaieteur News should also report that three police stations were renovated for the public’s comfort. He accused Kaieteur News of “wicked journalism”, quoting the Bob Marley saying, “Rasta man talk of positive vibrations”.
He said those were the positives of the GPF, and that things were taking place to transform old buildings into new ones. He also asked ranks at the Beterverwagting Police Station to treat persons making reports well, so they can leave the station satisfied.
At Sparendaam Police Station, Brumell said that it is quite an improvement. They have been given a leeway under the CSP, and he asked ranks to keep the place as it is, and to treat people visiting the station in a professional manner.
He also chided the ranks to take care of the computer parts and the furniture, and to behave in a manner expected of them at all times.
Rohee, on the other hand, told ranks that, given the location of the station, there are several occurrences of serious crimes that take place at the location. He urged the ranks there to act responsibly and address all reports, and he dubbed the re-commissioning of the three police stations on Friday as “bright spots” of the GPF.
Under the CSP, 18 police stations were rehabilitated, 12 in Region Four and six in Region Six, in keeping with its components. CSP is a $22M project between the government and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) which was inked in 2008.