–to Region 3 communities

THE vision of Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud of working with the communities and finding ways and means of interacting with citizens on a softer side was again emphasised over the weekend in the Police “D” Division, when the police and a member of the business community distributed close to $300,000 in sports gear to three communities.

On Sunday, Commander Amsterdam and businessman Shahab Hack travelled along the West Bank and West Coast of Demerara where they met with close to 200 young people. The two were also accompanied by the Division’s Deputy Commander Mansell and other senior police officers.

In an effort to avoid micromanaging, the commander allowed his deputy commander and the businessman to interact with the community representatives and sports-oriented young people in the village of Wales, where footballs and other sporting gear were presented.

The Commander then joined the two, along with Sub-Divisional Officer Assistant Superintendent Lloyd Thomas as they again made donations to the communities of Crane and Den Amstel, both on the West Coast of Demerara.

In his address to the young people, Mr Hack told the groups of young males that the work of the police in the community should not be seen as routine, but rather an effort to ensure that citizens are comfortable with the men and women who are tasked with protecting them.

He commended Commissioner Persaud for his vision in the new approach the Police Force has taken with respect to dealing with members of the public, while cautioning the young people that despite the presence of the police in their communities and the new kind of relationship that is being fostered, the law must be upheld.

He called on those persons who support the Police Force and those who benefit from its new approach, that they need to set an example and not believe that because of their interaction with the force they have received a green card to trample on the rights of citizens or disregard the fact that the law must be maintained.
For the young people, he has pledged that he would continue to support them in their strides to become good at whatever sports they choose to engage in, but that discipline must be the order of the day.
“If you need the continued support of the members of the business community and the police,then the responsibility is upon you to show that you appreciate the efforts that are being made in your interest and you must in turn respect the work of the police and offer the support necessary that the police will seek in the maintenance of law and order,” Shahab Hack told the various gatherings in his off-the-cuff speeches.
In his address, Commander Ian Amsterdam told the young people that the Guyana Police Force will continue to work with them and support them in the development of their communities and community leaders. He called on them to avoid negative influences in the society and in their immediate environs.
According to Mr. Amsterdam, the police will continue to be open to the business community and other stakeholders who would wish to support the work of the police force. He added also that he would be constantly visiting the various communities to assess the sporting needs of the children and see how best the police could muster support for the assistance of those communities and the children.

(By Leroy Smith)