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In 1969, the total number of road fatalities was 169. The previous lowest figure was recorded in 2008, when 113 persons lost their lives on the roadways.
Brumell said that during the past year, in addition to its traffic education programme — which includes traffic lectures to schools — enforcement operations by the Police Traffic Department had mostly focused on speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, unlicensed driving, reckless and negligent driving, inconsiderate driving, and using cell phones while operating motor vehicles.
He added that up till March 11 instant, 22 persons have lost their lives on the roads, compared to 21 for the same period last year.
He pointed out that speeding continues to be a major contributory factor to fatal accidents, causing 78 of the 102 fatal accidents during 2012. The statistics indicate driving under the influence of alcohol, distracted or inattentive driving, and non-compliance with traffic signals, signs and road markings feature prominently among the other contributory factors.
Brumell noted that the police zero-tolerance traffic enforcement, “Operation Safeway”, resulted in a total of 69,653 cases being made against errant motorists last year. With the effective use of the radar gun and the breathalyzer, 14,877 cases were made for speeding, and 918 for driving under the influence of alcohol.
He pointed out that standing instructions have been issued for all drivers involved in motor accidents to be tested with the use of the breathalyser as soon as possible; and in addition to driving under the influence of alcohol and speeding, this year, more emphasis will be placed on traffic education through the use of the print and electronic media, dealing with the use of cell phones while driving, tinted motor vehicles, and touting.
“While we, the police, will continue to place significant focus on traffic education and enforcement, I wish to call on motorists and other road users to do so, cognizant of the five Cs – Care, Courtesy, Consideration, Common Sense, and Caution. We see pedestrians walking three and four abreast, sometimes not facing the oncoming traffic; we see motorists on motor cycles, sometimes with another adult and two or three children, trying to save transportation costs; we see motorists on motor cycles with a lone small child as the pillion rider, often without a safety helmet. I shudder to think of what would happen if one of those children’s legs get caught between the spokes of the wheels. Is that motorist waiting for the police to tell him or her of the existing danger? Does he or she not recognize that?” he asked.
He said it is noted that efforts are being made through the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to do away with the present book format for Drivers’ Licences and replace them with plastic cards. This is a welcome step in a positive, developmental way, he said, and noted that this would be done as early as practicable.
The Acting Commissioner of Police also expressed appreciation for the invaluable assistance that continues to be given to the police by the National Road Safety Council, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Works, and other stakeholders in its efforts to make the roadways safer for all.
As regards the Citizen Security Programme (CSP), Brumell said there have been many significant developments, principal among which are the reforms under the Citizen Security Programme and the much anticipated implementation of the five-year (2013 to 2017) Strategic Plan.
He noted that the institutional modernisation of the Guyana Police Force under the CSP has benefited the Force tremendously, and assisted significantly with its professionalism and quality of service.
Brumell pointed out that 18 police stations have been refurbished and remodelled with special rooms that allow for privacy when dealing with domestic violence, ID parades, interviews, and case management in keeping with international best practices. A computer centre has been established at the Felix Austin Police College for the training of ranks in Information Technology; and a modern training facility, which should be completed within a short while, is under construction nearby.
He also said that more than 300 police ranks, from Constable to Assistant Commissioner, have completed a comprehensive training programme under the US consulting entity The Emergence Group; the Integrated Crime Information System was established, which is an electronic data management system encompassing policing divisions that will allow for tracking of criminal activities and to establish trends; and a state-of-the-art forensic laboratory is presently under construction, which will bring the GPF on par with its counterparts in the developed world. It will provide analyses, conduct tests, and present critical evidence in crime-related activities; and will have a positive impact on unsolved crimes.
Through the Community Action Component (CAC) of the Citizen Security Programme, Brumell said, police ranks have been able to develop direct relationships with youths and other residents in the ten communities involved in the programme, and the Force was hoping this would strengthen the professionalism of ranks in dealing with social matters that contribute to lessening the frustration of residents in the communities, and promoting the involvement of community members in crime reduction.
the CSP Community Action Component was re-launched in February 2010 with the objective of promoting social development programmes in response to the prevailing crime and violence rate in Guyana.
Brumell explained that the goal of the CAC, which came to an end in June 2012, was to assist the ten communities involved to become sustainable in their function as a neighbourhood in which all persons are included in the creation of a safe environment, and the young people are provided with opportunities that prevent them from participating in criminal and violent activity.
Brumell said, “This was intended to be achieved through the provision of training opportunities for young people between the ages of 14 and 25, who have dropped out of school and who reside in the communities.” Training was to facilitate formal structures of life skills, vocational training, and employment or business initiation training.
He said that ranks residing in the ten communities involved in the programme were identified, and took up key positions in the various Community Action Councils in order to make the police more visible within the community.
The Top Cop noted that the Force’s involvement with the CAC has seen an enhancement of the police/community relationship in the communities, and this has promoted community respect and developed into greater trust for, and confidence in, the GPF.
He said, “We in the Guyana Police Force are integrally involved in the implementation of the Strategic Plan 2013-2017, which was drawn up by the UK-based consultancy Capita-Symonds as part of the security sector reforms, and which will see significant focus in four areas in the initial phase specific to the Force. These are in administration, succession planning, integrity/probity, and public relations/communications.
“The Guyana Police Force welcomes the initiative, which also places focus on the training of ranks, both locally and overseas, in order to complement the reforms that are underway; and which includes aeronautical training.”
Brumell said the Force has, with assistance from an overseas-based Guyanese-owned company, established a computer training centre at the Felix Austin Police College at Adventure, Berbice, which caters for the training of not only police recruits, but scouts, youth club members, and members of the public. Another such venture is in train for the Richard Faikall Police College at Suddie, Essequibo, he disclosed.
