THE Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Home Affairs, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Foreign Trade and Development of Canada, for the purchasing of two-way radio sets and video cameras.The MoU, which was signed earlier this week at the Ministry of Home Affairs, falls under the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, and will make provisions to the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU).

These agencies were chosen as officers from the two entities successfully participated in a Royal Canadian Mounted Police, surveillance-training course in November 2014.

On the occasion, Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Ms. Nicole Giles, noted that ever since Prime Minister Stephen Harper first made the Americas Affirm Policy Priority in 2007, with a vision of a more prosperous, secure and democratic hemisphere, there have been significant strides.

“Seven years on, our hold of Government engagement in the hemisphere has never been stronger. Our engagement in the Americas is delivering results, both for Canada and our partners in the Region such as Guyana.”

Making reference to the MoU, which she said has been long in the making, Giles said Canada is deepening cooperation to strengthen security in the Americas and to safeguard Canada and Canadians, home and abroad.

“This MoU is an important tile in this mosaic, as these radios and video cameras will contribute to the improvement of Guyanese law enforcement investigative capacity, by enabling officers from the Guyana Police Force and CANU, to put into practice, the skills and knowledge gained during a two- week course, delivered by Royal Canadian Mounted Police, in November and December 2014.”
She added that while training is important, it is equally important that the equipment be operationalise.
“We believe that this value-added approach goes beyond the theoretical; it complements Canada’s regional effort to strengthen security and institution in the Caribbean.”
She added that transnational organised crimes pose a threat to all countries; as their corrosive reach extends throughout the Americas and they threaten sustainable economic growth, undermine public institution, and set back all major development indicators.
“That is why a key component of Canada’s strategy for engagement in the Americas is a commitment to address insecurity and advance freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law throughout the hemisphere.”
Giles said she is confident that the equipment provided will ensure that the investigative skills gained during the training will continue to deliver results in Guyana in 2015 and beyond. She further urged the ranks, who were a part of the training, to share their wealth of knowledge with their colleagues, in an effort to contribute towards raising the standard of professionalism.
Meanwhile, Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee on behalf of the Government conveyed his appreciation to the Canadian Government.
“We in Guyana hold in high esteem the relationship between the two countries…the relationship has grown and has manifested itself through various areas of international cooperation.”
Minister Rohee noted that within recent times, apart from the other traditional areas of cooperation between Guyana and Canada, Guyana has been the recipient of support in the area of law enforcement.
“We will assure you that law enforcement in this country will make the best of these equipment. This act is another manifestation of international cooperation in the fight against illegal and criminal activities, those that run against the core of the value in the Caribbean and Guyana in particular.”
He lamented the fact that nations cannot fight against international criminal activities by themselves; hence international cooperation is necessary.
Rohee said it is important to emphasise that for this fight to be effective, there is need for the necessary tools, with capacity building being an integral component to the overall thrust to fight crime locally and internationally.
Minister Rohee further underscored the importance of the use of technology in the fight against crime, which he said is becoming more obvious and apparent.
“Training for the new forms of crime is becoming more necessary; therefore, this assistance will contribute considerably to enhancing the technological wherewithal and strengthening their capacity,” he posited.
This course was funded by the Canadian Government’s Anti-Crime Capacity building programme. The training involved classroom and practical work, focusing on observation and communication skills, with the use of two-way radios and digital cameras. (GINA)