COMMANDER-in-Chief of the armed forces, His Excellency President Donald Ramotar, is slated to address the Annual Guyana Police Officers’ Conference at Force Headquarters, Eve Leary, in Georgetown this morning.

As obtained in previous years, the conference would be held at the Police Officers’ Mess, where the top brass of the Guyana Police Force would also hear addresses from Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee and acting Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud, who would address the conference for the first time in his new capacity.

Issues which affect the GPF and its operations are usually ventilated at the annual Police Officers’ conferences, while recommendations on methods of ensuring more effective policing are arrived at.

Among the issues expected to be addressed at this year’s conference are the advances and present position of the modernisation process of the Guyana Police Force; the recently formed Special Weapons and Tactics Unit (SWAT); the relationship between the police and the public, in terms of regaining public confidence; the war on proliferation of small drug houses; and other major issues which confront the GPF each day.

In his address last year, President Ramotar had called on the GPF to go after the ‘big fishes’ in the drug underworld. He had expressed his concern with the number of little drug houses which the police continue to raid, while the major players in the game are left untouched.

Moreover, the President had touched on the issue of cybercrime and the need for those in law enforcement to be trained to combat this form of crime, which he stated was a more modern approach to crime by persons who wish to find themselves on the other side of the law.

The role of the media and the relationship shared between the GPF and the press is always up for discussion at major forums which deal with the work of the police and its image.

Last year, the head of state cautioned the GPF that it needs to look at the relationship it shares with the media.

“The GPF, in working on its image, must also work with the media, being aware that the media can be very cruel, unkind, and very unfair sometimes; but still it is a very important tool in society to avoid negative speculation,” the President was quoted as saying at last year’s conference.

Just days after taking over at the helm of the Guyana Police Force, Mr Seelall Persaud publically stated that he would be working with the media, and the GPF would be looking at ways of engaging the media in sessions geared at advising on the way forward in respect to certain situations.

He was at the time referring to the manner in which the media reported on the kidnapping of businessman Rajendra Singh, who was later murdered by his kidnappers.
By Leroy Smith