MORE than fifty persons were on Friday sworn in as Rural Constables by ‘A’Division Commander Clifton Hicken at the Brickdam Police Station.They are expected to undergo rapid training, especially in lead-up to Elections Day, when they are expected to assist the police in supervising activities and maintaining law and order.

In addressing the Rural Constables after they had been sworn in, Commander Hicken said they now need to be very security conscious while at the same time supporting the work of the Guyana Police Force.

He urged them to also ensure that they develop a relationship in the communities they live; establish contacts, and share their numbers with villagers so that they can receive information and intelligence.

Hicken said that once the idea of Rural Constables is bought into by residents within communities and there are large numbers of RCs in each community in the various divisions and across the country, it would have the significant impact in lowering the instances of crime and criminal activities within those areas.

Those present on Friday were urged to bring other persons within two weeks’ time to also serve in the Guyana Police Force at the level of Rural Constables. They were, however, urged and warned against bringing individuals who are shady characters, as the presence of those persons would not augur well for the organisation and its image.

In addressing the need of the Guyana Police Force — and more particularly “A” Division — for persons to be trained as Rural Constables, Commander Hicken told the gathering, which also included women and business persons, that his division intends to have seven hundred active persons working along on Elections Day, while another six hundred could also be facilitated as backup and ready to move “on call”.

The newly sworn in RCs were encouraged to employ the use of their vehicular assets in support of the police and work which they would be jointly doing.

Commander Hicken cautioned the new RCs to ensure they adhere to the guidelines and policies of the Guyana Police Force.

“Do not come into this thing (policing) to settle scores that you have with people, because when we find you, or it comes to our attention, we will address it professionally according to the laws and standards of the Force”, Hicken cautioned.

He also warned against excesses, as he told the RCs that their code of conduct ought to be emulated by those who observe them.

Training for the RCs is usually done on Saturdays at the various police stations within the sub-divisions from which the persons are drawn.

Issues of domestic violence, sexual offences and other breaches of the law ought to be immediately dealt with and/or be reported so that action can be taken.

No RC should try to conceal those activities whenever they become aware of them, since those are not values of the Force, Commander Hicken cautioned.

The Rural Constables will be voting early on Elections Day, and then outfitted with their uniforms to add to the strength of the Guyana Police Force on Elections Day.

Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud had told reporters immediately after his confirmation that the Force is adequately equipped and stands ready to deal with eventualities before, during and after elections.
The Top Cop had also stated that the Force would be ready to deal with a worst-case scenario. Asked what he considered a scenario, he said a total breakdown of law and order.
(By Leroy Smith)