-Minister Benn says; calls for improved quality of policing, financial accountability

HOME Affairs Minister Robeson Benn on Tuesday called for a significant enhancement in the quality of policing, emphasising the need for improved standards and accountability.

He made this call for action while addressing the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) 185th Anniversary Symposium held at the Police Officers’ Mess Annexe, Eve Leary, Georgetown.

Minister Benn’s appeal comes amidst growing concerns over alleged police corruption and the public’s demand for greater integrity within law enforcement agencies.

“The standards and the things we want for ourselves at a personal level are those which we must accord to the people who pay our taxes[sic]. We need to pull ourselves up in relation to how we view ourselves and our people,” he said, addressing the assembly consisting primarily of senior law enforcement officers.

“It is not good enough to be looking beautiful in uniform. The most telling thing about yourself is how you speak, how you relate to people. Whether you disrespect people—that speaks volumes about you. I want the disrespect to people to stop at police stations. Police must speak properly and politely. Police must help people. Police must not extort people. Police must not wait for things to build up and get worst and then intervene only to find people in a situation where they have to pay money, where they have to pay bribes. This must stop,” Minister Benn added.

He reasoned that if police ranks decide to take bribes, it is not only a discredit to them but to the entire police force.

Further, he drew attention to the importance of senior ranks conducting themselves in an appropriate manner and how their attire can lead to negative conclusions.

“… police commanders and others who find themselves in authority must not think that after arriving at the job they need to award and reward themselves and to walk around with plenty gold and diamonds around their neck and fingers. If they have that, it means they are men who can be bought. I can buy you because that’s what you like and you flaunt it. It must stop! It must stop!” stated Benn.

Furthermore, the home affairs minister disclosed that although there have been notable advancements in the realm of law enforcement, the primary challenges facing the police force at the moment relate to procurement and financial accounting.

Minister Benn said: “If we can’t account for the monies in the procurement process and monies goes [sic] out in ways in which it should not be, then there is a problem… I have to account for it at the Parliament and other places. We have a Procurement Commission, we have an Auditor General, we have an Accountant General, we have an Integrity Commission and other places and persons. All of them will have to fall in line in relation to cleaning up and tidying up this problem.

“If monies go to places they should not go that means there is massive collusion and corruption. That’s the only explanation for it. And if people think they can hide and carry monies wherever, and that we wouldn’t find out… you don’t need a doctorate to find out.”

Minister Benn made it clear that there will be evaluations, investigations, and audits of the finances of the police force and allied organisations in view of the current events.

He compared the situation to cancer and expressed his hope that neither surgery nor chemotherapy would be required.

“And we hope that it ain’t reach stage three or four,” Benn stated, expressing his desire for new, accountable policing as well as improved, and honest work to be done.

He shared his vision for transforming the police force into a more competent, professional, and community-oriented organisation.

In closing, the minister of home affairs urged the police force to address the problem of corruption and collusion. He emphasised that “we need to root it out,” citing the force’s mission of service and protection.