– Minister Benn

THE Joint Services need to implement a mechanism that allows feedback from members of the public on their perception of the quality of service offered, especially by the Guyana Police Force.

This is according to Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, who gave remarks on Saturday at a brief at the Police Officers’ Training Centre, Camp Road, Georgetown.

The main purpose of the minister’s brief was to outline his policy for the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Prison Service and the Guyana Fire Service, with emphasis on the Guyana Police Force.

In his outline, the minister said there is need for the Guyana Police Force to improve and to always gain the confidence of the public.

Minister Benn noted the posture and conduct of the Police Force during the COVID-19 pandemic and emphasised the need for ranks to exercise consideration in dealing with the public at all times while simultaneously protecting themselves and citizens from the virus.

The home affairs minister further said that there is need for police to exercise impartiality and sensitivity in the execution of their duties, noting that Guyana is made of people from diverse religious, social and racial background.

Minister Benn charged that all, without exception, be treated fairly and equally – embracing Guyana’s motto of “One People, One Nation, One Destiny”.

Adding that there is also a need for police to continuously re-assess their performance and set targets to consistently improve their output and effectiveness, Minister Benn said a 10-point improvement strategy should be implemented for all divisions, branches and departments within the three services.

Minister Benn also urged that the strategy be cascaded to every station and every section within the three services.

He noted that there should be consistent individual improvement through introspection and appropriate corrective action.

Additionally, Minister Benn said the treatment of prisoners in police custody needs improvement while errant ranks need to be retrained in behavioural correction as a first step.

He added that ranks should, at all times, be equipped with the appropriate tools and training when responding to scenes of accidents and incidents.

The minister reassured the officers of government’s commitment to equipping the organisations under his ministry with the right tools and targeted training to guarantee improved service delivery to all Guyana.

In response to the minister’s charge and policy outline for the organisations present, Commissioner of Police (ag), Nigel Hoppie, on behalf of the officers and ranks of the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Prison Service and the Guyana Fire Service, thanked the minister for his attendance and sought to assure him that his brief has been noted and very much appreciated.

Hoppie went on to indicate to Minister Benn that as early as the new week, he and his team will craft an action plan for operationalisation of the policies set out by him and his ministry.

These policies, according to Commissioner of Police (ag), will certainly boost the Force’s five-point strategy of Operations Improvement, People and Infrastructural Development, Improved and Increased Partnership and Performance Evaluation as set out in the strategic plan of 2019 – 2021.

Also present at the briefing were Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels; Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Kalamdeen Edoo; Deputy Commissioner of Police, Paul Williams; Deputy Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot, (ag); Deputy Commissioner ‘Operations’, along with divisional/branch commanders and other senior and junior officers drawn from the three organisations first mentioned.