Rohee assures of changes for better security in Guyana
– says new forensic lab to be commissioned by month end
– also routine polygraph testing to enhance integrity of members of the Force and more money to fight illicit drugs

MINISTER of Home Affairs Mr. Clement Rohee said, last Monday night, that, due to the evolving nature of crime, providing security for any society is a dynamic and ever changing process.

He said it is a fact which those who criticise his Administration seem to conveniently overlook, and they miss the importance of the socio-economic context.
“In the late 1980s, early 1990s, money laundering, trafficking in persons, gun running, piracy, drug trafficking were miniscule. These are now new challenges. The criminals keep trying to stay one step ahead of the law enforcement agencies and law enforcement has to stay many steps ahead of them.
“Security has been and always will be a work in progress,” Rohee stated, adding that: “If there is anyone on the Opposition side of the House who believes that there is a silver bullet, then they are dreaming (or) walking in their sleep.”
The Minister made the observations during his presentation on the 2014 Budget, in response to those on public safety and security made by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament (MP), Mr. Winston Felix, last week.

NO REDUCTION
The latter had charged that, although Government said it embarked on a comprehensive programme of reform in the security sector, there had been no reduction of robberies under arms, murders, trafficking in narcotics and other serious crimes.
He emphasised that a reform of the security sector would involve changes that impact on those crimes which negatively affect the lives of citizens.
“The crime statistics, issued by the Police intermittently, has given no reason to feel comfortable that the situation is improving,” Felix contended.
The former Police Commissioner maintained, too, that he had seen no change setting in place within the GPF.
“There is much of the same. Investigative tactics employed by the Police have not changed,” he insisted.
But Minister Rohee said there are, at the moment, many changes that are taking place towards ensuring the effectiveness of the security and law enforcement agencies.
The ministry has started the process of implementing four aspects that are very much needed in the reform of the GPF, he asserted.
Rohee said those needed reforms are in the areas of administration, succession planning, probity/integrity, public relations and communications, and the implementation has begun.
He announced that a new forensic laboratory, to increase the investigative capabilities of the GPF, is to be commissioned by month end.
There will also be routine polygraph testing to enhance the integrity of members of the Force and more money to fight illicit drugs.

DRUGS BUSTS
He said he is pleased with recent increases in the drugs busts, by the Police and Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and pledged: “Wherever they hide the drugs, wherever they hide the guns, we will find them.”
The minister also anticipated an expansion of community policing activities to enhance security in communities, citing the large allocation of $413M for that purpose in the 2014 Budget.
He said there are some 282 Community Policing Groups (CPGs) across the country, with 4,542 members and growing.
Those groups will be given facilities to support the work of the Police, the Minister said, stating: “We all know that, without the cooperation of the community, the Police will not succeed to the extent that they need to.”
He assured that the Government is committed and dedicated to ensuring, in an ever improving way, that the citizens of Guyana sleep, live and work in an atmosphere of peace and good order.

(By Clifford Stanley)