The Ministry of Home Affairs yesterday inked a contract with the British firm Capita Symonds for the Guyana Police Force Strategic Plan and its implementation, at the ministry’s boardroom, Brickdam, Georgetown.

Coordinator of the Citizen Security Programme (CSP) Khemraj Rai at the signing, said that Capita Symonds consultancy team is here in Guyana to work along with the ministry in the modernisation of the Police Force in the areas of administration, public communication, succession planning and integrity.
This is not Capita Symonds’ first project with the ministry, as it has been working here since 2000, and has the experience to execute the current project.
Acting Commissioner of Police, Leroy Brumell, who was also present at the signing ceremony yesterday, said that the ministry has gone another step in the development of the Force, and the strategic plan is a continuous effort which will significantly boost the capabilities of the Force.
Also present was British High Commissioner to Guyana Andrew Ayre, who endorsed the contract and was delighted with the working relationship between the two countries.
In closing, Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee told the gathering that the implementation of the strategic plan will impact the Force in a good way, since changes are required.
He stated that the strategic plan would eventually lead to the modernisation of the Force, and the Capita Symonds’ team is here for the implementation of the strategic plan.
Rohee added that they have since advertised for 10 civilian employees to fill vacancies in the Strategic Management Department, to ensure the plan is implemented, and they have received several applications.
He added that he is certain Capita Symonds will perform well in implementing the plan.
During a presentation by Rohee last New Year’s Eve at the Guyana Police Force Training Centre, Kingston, Georgetown, he had said that marked adjustments to the Internal Management Structure within the Guyana Police Force are envisaged.
He stated that changes will be brought about with the implementation of a Strategic Plan for the Guyana Police Force (2013 to 2017). The Strategic Plan will see the establishment of a Strategic Management Department which will have oversight for the Strategic Plan’s implementation.
Rohee noted that the employment of ten high level civilian professionals in non-line positions within the Guyana Police Force will ensure a high degree of professional, technical and efficient inputs to guarantee implementation of the Plan. The Strategic Plan was drawn up by the UK based Capita Symonds Consultancy in 2010, while the Implementation Plan was drawn up and commenced by the US based Julian Laite Consultancy in February, 2012.
He said that monthly consultations between the Ministry of Home Affairs and a Guyana Police Force Change Team established since 2006, under the Citizen’s Security Programme to ensure implementation of the Institutional Modernisation of the Guyana Police Force, have finally brought the transformative process at the Guyana Police Force to this critical stage.
Rohee said the implementation of the Strategic Plan will cost approximately $35M. Annually, and side by side with the implementation of the Strategic Plan, the UK based Capita-Symonds Consultancy will be contracted to focus on four specific but critical areas of the Guyana Police Force. These include:
*Administration: Aimed at strengthening the Administration of the Guyana Police Force with particular reference to standards for recruitment and retention of staff;
*Succession Planning: Developing a sustainable approach to succession planning with particular reference to career planning and retention of Cadet Officers.
*Integrity/Probity (Professionalization): Aimed at improving the professionalism of the Force through strengthening its accountability and instigating a more rigorous approach to development of integrity, and
*Public Relations/Communications: Aimed at developing a sustainable approach to public relations/communications with particular reference to a modern and responsive approach to dealing with the media and other internal and external stakeholders.
The minister said that implementation of these four key areas may see the involvement of IPOs as consultants; however, the contractual agreement in the main will see the procurement of highly qualified specialists.
Rohee stated that the first phase of this Consultancy will last for a period of four to six weeks, beginning in January 2013, and will cost approximately US$129,750, or approximately $25M.