THE 4C2 Division Community Policing Group (CPG) is ready for its fun-day tomorrow featuring a grand Duck Curry Competition and ‘Fish and Chips,’ the proceeds of which usually go towards community enhancement and offsetting some of the expenses of the CPG.

The CPG, which falls under the Ministry of Home Affairs, would often raise funds to get its work done mostly acquiring help from volunteers and businesses which wish to lend support.

The June 29 entertainment event, featuring live performances, is aiming to bring the community together, and folks from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and members from various community policing groups have been invited to take part.

Charlie Derichand has been the Divisional Chairman for the past four years, although having been in community policing for over 25 years. His group is responsible for communities from the arch at Industry to the concrete bridge at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara.

It is the first duck curry competition that the CPG is attempting although they conduct other activities like bar-b-ques and Spelling B competitions, among others, to raise funds.

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport has donated trophies for the event and SOL donated cooking gas. So far, eight persons/groups have indicated their interest in participating, although Derichand said it is likely more persons will come on board at the last minute.

The event, beginning at 14:00 hours, will be held at the Chateau Margot base (the old Guyana Police Force Training complex) and the entrance fee is $10,000. Entertainment will be provided by Jammerz Family, DJ Golden Chyld, Mix Nash and others.

Derichand is also the Treasurer for the National Community Policing which governs the entire community policing in the country.
According to the GPF, community policing is a philosophy and an organisational strategy that promotes partnership between the people of the community and the police. It is based on the premise that both the police and the community must work together to identify, prioritise and solve contemporary problems such as crime, drugs, fear of crime, social problems, and other forms of disorder with the goal of improving the quality of life in the community.

The concept behind the establishment of these committees was based on the premise that regardless of how efficient and technologically equipped a Police Force might strive to become, its task of dealing effectively with crime and lawlessness would be made extremely difficult if it lacks the support of the public it serves.