.jpg)
IN THE previous week, this column examined the background, investment and implementation of the Integrated Crime Information System (ICIS) as a major element of the Citizen Security Programme (CSP). It is important to mention that this system is one of the significant responses by the government in combating crime and violence. It is employing modern (information) technology to enable the principal law and order agency to be become more proactive in the detection and analysis of criminals and their intent.
Additionally, it represents a major step in the reform of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA). Despite being touted as an intervention in which the benefits would be seen in the medium and long terms, its implementation in this short period has already impacted on how the Guyana Police Force is conducting its business.
It is pleasing to watch on television how the police are engaging citizens to assist in fighting crime. Referred to here is a TV infomercial — well executed, entertaining and informative — on the reporting of a criminal activity, capturing the perpetrators, and encouraging citizens to join in making the country safer.
Well done to the Online Crime Reporting System! There is need for more such uses of the mass media, and it is certain that more will be seen. It is also clear that the ICIS team is on the ball, especially in capitalizing on the popularity of social media.
But let’s look at the broader picture on the usefulness of the ICIS.
It cannot be good enough for information obtained and complied to be available for use by the Police Force and the Ministry of Home Affairs only. The authorities have seen it fit and necessary to extend its application to other government agencies, where not only efficiency will be enhanced and informed decisions made, but time and resources saved. The main intention is for investigative and research purposes.
In some of the most developed countries, we have seen how counter-productive and costly it is when there is failure in information sharing among critical agencies.
In a well-managed and structured way, the ICIS provides for information exchange between the MoHA and other key government agencies. These include the Department of Public Prosecutions, Magistrate and Supreme Courts, Guyana Prison Service, Guyana Revenue Authority, Deeds Registry, Passport Office, and municipal and neighbourhood councils.
Under the execution of the CSP, the ICIS design, development, and implementation were undertaken by the BrainStreet Group, an organisation that is well established and internationally experienced in that field. It is a comprehensive modular crime information system that seeks to integrate the various operational aspects of law enforcement agencies under the authority of the MoHA.
It comprises fourteen software modules for crime occurrence and reporting; case preparation and management; criminal records; traffic management; inmate management; inter-agency databases; transportation information; injury surveillance; firearm licensing; deportee monitoring; cross-border licensing; collaborative virtual workspace; geographic information systems; and immigration persons of interest.
All fourteen software modules have been delivered and installed. The ICIS is operational at more that forty locations in Regions 3, 4, 5, 7 and 10, and the MoHA and the ICIS intend to extend the ICIS network to all major police stations in Guyana in the near future.
Additionally, it represents a major step in the reform of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA). Despite being touted as an intervention in which the benefits would be seen in the medium and long terms, its implementation in this short period has already impacted on how the Guyana Police Force is conducting its business.
It is pleasing to watch on television how the police are engaging citizens to assist in fighting crime. Referred to here is a TV infomercial — well executed, entertaining and informative — on the reporting of a criminal activity, capturing the perpetrators, and encouraging citizens to join in making the country safer.
Well done to the Online Crime Reporting System! There is need for more such uses of the mass media, and it is certain that more will be seen. It is also clear that the ICIS team is on the ball, especially in capitalizing on the popularity of social media.
But let’s look at the broader picture on the usefulness of the ICIS.
It cannot be good enough for information obtained and complied to be available for use by the Police Force and the Ministry of Home Affairs only. The authorities have seen it fit and necessary to extend its application to other government agencies, where not only efficiency will be enhanced and informed decisions made, but time and resources saved. The main intention is for investigative and research purposes.
In some of the most developed countries, we have seen how counter-productive and costly it is when there is failure in information sharing among critical agencies.
In a well-managed and structured way, the ICIS provides for information exchange between the MoHA and other key government agencies. These include the Department of Public Prosecutions, Magistrate and Supreme Courts, Guyana Prison Service, Guyana Revenue Authority, Deeds Registry, Passport Office, and municipal and neighbourhood councils.
Under the execution of the CSP, the ICIS design, development, and implementation were undertaken by the BrainStreet Group, an organisation that is well established and internationally experienced in that field. It is a comprehensive modular crime information system that seeks to integrate the various operational aspects of law enforcement agencies under the authority of the MoHA.
It comprises fourteen software modules for crime occurrence and reporting; case preparation and management; criminal records; traffic management; inmate management; inter-agency databases; transportation information; injury surveillance; firearm licensing; deportee monitoring; cross-border licensing; collaborative virtual workspace; geographic information systems; and immigration persons of interest.
All fourteen software modules have been delivered and installed. The ICIS is operational at more that forty locations in Regions 3, 4, 5, 7 and 10, and the MoHA and the ICIS intend to extend the ICIS network to all major police stations in Guyana in the near future.
