— Deputy Commissioner Hicken distributes masks, talks to residents about COVID-19

Photo and story by Rabindra Rooplall

IN order to re-establish the relationship the police once had with residents of the ‘inner-city’ community of Tiger Bay in down-town Georgetown, and talk about the COVID-19 guidelines, Deputy Commissioner ‘Operations’ (ag), Clifton Hicken on Tuesday paid them a visit, where he used the opportunity to gift them a few face-masks.
Among other police ‘Top Brass’ paying the Rosemary Lane community a visit that day were Commander of Region Four’s ‘A’ Division, Assistant Commissioner Simon McBean; and Police Public Relations and Press Officer, Assistant Commissioner Royston Andries-Junor. With them also was one Dr. Kissoon of the Ministry of Health.
While the team was in Tiger Bay, they advised residents there of ways in which they can protect themselves and their loved ones, by adhering to such safety measures as: Social Distancing; washing of hands; and wearing a mask whenever in public.

After having their little talk, Commissioner Hicken, who is an ardent supporter of the community, took his team on a ‘walkabout’ of the area, and promised their ‘gracious’ hosts to try his best to look into whatever issues may be affecting them.

The visiting team also informed Tiger Bay residents that they, along with other ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), will be back in the area on Saturday to participate in a planned ‘cleanup’ of the community, which is scheduled to commence at 10:00 hours.
As was only to be expected, given that Commissioner Hicken has always had their best interest at heart, the initiative was warmly received by the residents, who said they will be looking forward to regular visits from the GPF ‘high command’.

RETURN OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Commissioner Hicken told the media that as part of its strategic plan for 2019-2021, one of the Force’s primary goals is to focus heavily on partnership, as they have been doing all along, by working with the communities before the coronavirus struck and caused everything to come to a temporary standstill. The one proviso, however, is that those communities must first reach out to them, either physically, or via social media.
Acknowledging that the community is the largest stakeholder in the business of policing, Hicken said the Guyana Police Force cannot work in isolation, and that from now on, commanders of the various divisions will be involved in regular ‘walkabouts’ and interactions within the communities under their supervision. He explained that part of the plan has to do with organising regular recreational and vocational skills training for youths, combined with teaching sessions on moral grounding as the leaders of the future.
Noting that Assistant Commissioner McBean is a proactive commander, Commissioner Hicken reported that work in that direction has already begun in Tiger Bay, and will eventually fan out into other communities incrementally.
Commander McBean too, noted the importance of forging a partnership between the police and the community, as it is difficult to effectively manage crime without the efforts and input of a community.
“Coming to the community and finding out what are the issues, and how we can proactively deal with issues, not only from a proactive point of view but also from the community’s point of view and how we can sit together as a team with other stakeholders and find solutions,” Commander McBean said, “will enhance our crime fighting.”
According to Doctor Kissoon, his reason for being involved in Tuesday’s outreach was so as to let persons within the Tiger Bay community understand the importance of the wearing of masks, washing of hands and practising of social distancing to stopping the spread of COVID-19.
His advice to the few residents he met with was: “If you have any signs of fever, cough, cold or symptoms related to COVID-19, just go to the hospital, and they would direct where free testing is done for the coronavirus.”

He was roundly supported by public relations man, Assistant Commissioner Andries-Junor, who spoke on the role of his department, as the ‘go-between’ for stakeholders and Law Enforcement.
“We want to build and establish trust between the police and the communities, and the public in general, so that they can come to us, and we can channel their concerns to their respective commanders; something which also is being done through our Facebook Page, where a lot of people inbox us,” the Assistant Commissioner said, adding: “We will come into your community, and you can talk to us, and we can channel those issues to the respective commanders, and ensure a feedback is given.”