ACTING Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell has said that, as security of the mining sector remains a priority, there is a move to establish a communication network with the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) and a hinterland intelligence committee is already engaging the attention of the latter. He said there have been meetings to that effect with selected ranks and the GGDMA point persons, and those engagements are usually followed up at the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Speaking at the Police Officers Conference last Thursday, Brumell underscored that the Force is cognisant of the emergence of gold mining as one of the country’s economic pillars and a major contributor to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP).
He said, among the initiatives planned is the cracking down on illegal shops since they are suspected of harbouring criminal elements.
Added to that will be the bestowing on some members of the mining community powers similar to the police which would allow them to make arrests, Brumell said.
He announced that significant efforts are being made to adequately police the targeted areas and steps are being taken to make the interior more secure.
President Donald Ramotar, who spoke at the same forum, while commending the strides being made by the Force in relation to better security, cautioned that there is a need to work on increasing and intensifying it, since mining is a earning ground and represents the livelihood of many persons.

Strong strategies
He urged strong strategies to deal with what is taking place in the interior by working closer with the miners and developing stronger intelligence with them, and sharing with the other arms of the security system within the country.
The Head of State pointed to the need to prevent and possibly stop the crimes which have been committed in the interior locations over the past three years, which included the loss of lives.
Brumell had cited the delinking of the Police ‘E’ and ‘F’ divisions which were merged in 1992, saying that was done for better management and control, and now the two divisions are being manned by separate senior officers.
He said another reason for the separation is the dynamics of the area since the 1992 merger, coupled with the developmental and economic activities and the ability and opportunity to utilise resources in a more effective manner.
However, despite the separating, the issues of unlawful activities continue to be of concern to the Force, especially the incidence of robberies and disorderly murders which continue to plague the mineral rich communities.
Brumell revealed that, for 2012, the Force recorded 24 disorderly murders out of a nationwide total of 62, while up to last Thursday, the number for the year, so far, was four in ‘F’ Division of a national total of nine. In addition, there have been numerous armed robberies including a recent incident where a dragger was attacked with a Brazilian being killed in the process.
Other plans to increase security in the mining sector and interior locations are:
* consideration being placed on policing the divisions; but one of the bugbears which the force is addressing is the terrain which, according to the Top Cop, affects the response to reports because of immobility;
* roving patrols which continue to traverse the popular and unpopular thoroughfares within the areas in addition to the establishment of increased checkpoints;
* already implemented stop and search operations and
* engaging the stakeholders, and strides have been made in this regard.

Effective management                                              
Brumell said the Force has been working along with the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, the GGDMA, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and others to ensure a more effective management of the interior locations.
He said it is planned to have additional ranks in the areas as well as to intensify and expand roving patrols with input from the Guyana Defence Force.
Brumell indicated that moves are afoot to review and expedite the firearms application process for miners and to acquire a floating patrol.