RANKS at the Prashad Nagar Police Outpost got a significant security upgrade to their holding cell when Rural Constable Mahendranauth Persaud handed over reinforced steel doors and grillwork for the lockups.

The previous structure had outlived its usefulness and could not have been expected to withstand any escape attempt by more than two prisoners acting in consort.

The two steel structures were handed over to the No. 3 Sub-Division Officer, Assistant Superintendent Jacobis in the presence of ‘A’ Division Commander Clifton Hicken, Deputy Commander Dion Moore and other senior and junior ranks of the Sub-Division.

Commenting on his single-handed venture, the Rural Constable, who also serves on the Brickdam Station Management Committee and lives in Prashad Nagar, said that it was his way of giving back to the Police Force.
He spoke of the training that he was able to benefit from through the police while he was being considered to be installed as a Rural Constable.

Sub-Division Officer, ASP Jacobis told the small gathering of about fifteen persons that she was very pleased when Persaud informed her that he had an interest in replacing the doors to the lockups. She said that the information was channelled upward and permission was immediately granted to the citizen for the commencement of the works.

Deputy Commander Moore acknowledged the investment by Persaud and remarked that the move was not just one that will benefit the police but also the persons who will be held in the facility since it prevents them breaking out and causing a situation of police/prisoner confrontation.

According to Moore, the Guyana Police Force is also happy that the decision to see the need to have the doors replaced came from within and demonstrates that not only do they have persons working in the system but those who are taking special interest in things they see of concern to the Force. He assured that the Guyana Police Force will never see its Rural Constables as separate from the organisation.

Also speaking was ‘A’ Division Commander Clifton Hicken who reminded that the objective and vision of the ‘A’ Division management team is for ranks and officers to understand and respect their roles in providing a service to the public.

He said that there must be innovations at the various station management bodies and sub-divisions, pointing to the move by the folks at the Prashad Nagar station who took up the challenge.

Hicken said that security can never be overemphasised and every opportunity and move to strengthen security and security infrastructure should always be accommodated.

Early last year, a police constable died while chasing after a prisoner who had escaped from the Prashad Nagar police lockups. The prisoner forced the officer to the ground and made a dash for freedom after the door was opened to allow for preparation of detainees for court.

(By Leroy Smith)