IN what is being largely regarded as a signature move, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), through its Albion Estate, and the Guyana Police Force, through the police ‘B’ Division, have recently commenced joint patrol duties.

The move was adopted in an effort to familiarise the police with the areas in the ‘backdam’ and other parts of that estate’s span of command, to reduce instances of “backdam crimes”.

The initiative commenced some time ago, but was further strengthened when the two sides committed to working with each other at a meeting on Sunday at the Albion Estate Headquarters in East Berbice.
Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, ‘B’ Division Commander, Assistant Police Commissioner, Brian Joseph, explained that the meeting was called by the new manager of the estate, who reaffirmed the working relationship with the police.

Joseph said the two sides met at a “working Lunch”, where ideas were shared by both sides, since the new manager and Joseph took along their respective management teams.

In the past, persons have been complaining of criminals and other persons who perpetrate crime and head into the backlands in an effort to escape the police, who were not always familiar with the backlands.

In addition, the police would sometimes not have the resources like the sugar company does, to go way down into the backdam.

In addition to the patrols, which are being done jointly, the sugar corporation has also committed to assisting the police in servicing its vehicles and carrying out other mechanical works which may be required from time to time.

Over the last few months, there have been many calls for the police to adopt an inter-agency approach in the fight against crime, and Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud has been encouraging his ranks in the various divisions to engage the relevant agencies within their span of control to make the initiative workable.

Sunday’s meeting involved Commander Brian Joseph; his divisional detective; traffic officer and sub-divisional officer for the Corentyne area, ASP Brown; while the estate team comprised Manager Shiv Persaud, Human Resource Manager Dameion Walters, Field Manager Hilton Griffith, Security Inspector Satrohan Dayaram, and Sergeant Tommy Permaul.

(Leroy Smith)