Rohee stated that the MoHA, concerned with the growing number of cases of interpersonal violence in communities, held a two-day conference on the Prevention of Interpersonal Violence on 25th and 26th November 2013.

Approximately 250 persons attended the conference and presentations and discussions were led by local and overseas experts, he said.
The minister added that a report was submitted to Cabinet, including the recommendations arising from the conference. Included in the submission was a request for a National Committee to be established to prepare and implement an Action Plan to combat Interpersonal Violence. The Action Plan will require the provision of resources by the State.

CBSI BENEFITS
Rohee pointed out that Guyana has seen benefits from the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI), which is a partnership between the United States of America and the Caribbean, aimed at substantially reducing illicit trafficking, advancing public safety and security and promoting social justice.
He added that in 2013 Guyana received items of security equipment and members of the law enforcement agencies participated in a number of training programmes in security-related matters such as fraudulent documents, passenger targeting and analysis, interviewing techniques, smuggling and luggage examinations.
In addition, three Metal Shark Defiance Patrol Boats were allocated to Guyana and delivery is expected early this year.
Moreover, in 2014 Guyana will enjoy the following benefits from the CBSI:

(A) From 20th to 24th January, 2014 the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) Stockpile Management/Destruction Package – UNLIREC will be conducting their first training and destruction mission of surplus and absolute firearms and ammunition that are in the possession of the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force. The organization donated to Guyana a set of hydraulic shears which will be used during the training. Training courses would be developed for improving basic policing skills such as Crime Scene Management, Interrogation, Forensics, Case Development and Resources Management. Emphasis would be placed on investigations dealing with Trafficking in Persons, Money Laundering, Corruption and Gender-based Violence.

(B) The Guyana Prison Service will benefit from a project which complements the efforts of the Ministry of Home Affairs aimed at reforming the Guyana Prison Service. This project will enhance the knowledge, skills and abilities of Corrections Officers to appropriately and effectively manage a sustainable multi-gender, multi-custody offender population so that the correctional system contributes to public safety, positively impacts transnational crime and provides the prisoners with opportunities for reform and rehabilitation.

(C) On March 25, 2013, a United States-based Company, Metro Star, conducted an assessment of the current technical and other resources (including people) available within the Police Forces in the Region to support live video connectivity to facilitate training opportunities in all of the CBSI partner countries including Guyana. This initiative would allow the Guyana Police Force to participate in virtual training with key Caribbean institutions including the Caribbean, Regional Drug Law Enforcement Training Centre (REDTRAC), the Regional Training Centre in Barbados and the Police Training Academy in Trinidad and Tobago.