– Crime Chief

THE project to reform and modernise the Guyana Police Force (GPF) now underway has, indeed, impacted its operations.And while it may not be seen now, the results will be delivered to members of the public in the long term, according to Deputy Commissioner (Law Enforcement) Seelall Persaud.
He said it is not likely that the results will be seen in the shorter term but the long term is inevitable, since the reform process is taking place incrementally and its implementation needs to be taken very seriously and in stages.
The Crime Chief added that there is a certain part of the procedure to be completed before the public begins to really see the benefits of the reformation.
Persaud made the observations while addressing other senior ranks and awardees at the annual GPF end of year awards ceremony.
Pointing to some of the areas of change which are already in motion, he mentioned an integrated crime information system which is in place.
Persaud told the gathering that the method is an electronic type that links all the stations countrywide. However, at the present stage, only the stations along the coastland are connected while works are still being done to ensure that those in ‘G’ Division are logged onto the network.
There has been some amount of linkage to the stations in Bartica as well as Region 10 and, very soon, all the stations countrywide will be integrated, he assured.
Master collection
Persaud said, once entered into the master collective, the data will be available to all the police stations. The network would deal, primarily, with reports on crime.
There will also be a means to test the response of police officers to the reports that they receive through the network and the Deputy Commissioner noted that it would serve, as well, to enhance the development of the force and its ranks and see commanders assessing the performance of the ranks under their command.
Meanwhile, one of the challenges facing the GPF is its staffing.
Persaud disclosed that, presently, there are 285 new members while there has been a depletion of ranks by 194.
He said the GPF losses are, usually, well-trained and experienced ones.