Brickdam, East La Penitence police stations remodelled
Another aspect of Government’s continuing efforts to modernise the Guyana Police Force and to ensure that the public is served more efficiently was witnessed Friday when the remodelled East La Penitence and Brickdam police stations were commissioned by Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee.

The remoddelled East La Penitence Police Station

These are among 12 stations that are on the cards for modification as the Administration seeks to enhance public safety via the Citizen Security Programme (CSP), with the assistance of the Inter American Development Bank (IDB).

Following the commissioning of the East La Penitence station, Minister Rohee did the same at the Brickdam station.
At the latter, he explained that Cabinet had given the clearance for consultancy services for the implementation of five areas of the CSP: development and implementation of a comprehensive training scheme for the GPF, institutional modernisation of the Ministry of Home Affairs, design, develop and implement an integrated crime information system, update and implement immigration policies and plans, and monitor and evaluate the CSP.

“The law enforcement related challenge we face demands that policy makers design comprehensive and holistic responses aimed at modernising policing to improve professionalism, efficiency and effectiveness. These remodelled Police Stations are a welcome development and represent a significant investment by this Government in its drive to boost public security,” Minister Rohee said.

He indicated that $170M has been spent in refashioning a first batch of 12 Police stations in Regions 4 and 6 through the CSP, and this year, an additional $145M is being provided by Central Government to rehabilitate police stations in all 10 administrative regions.

The stations are now equipped with case management rooms, modern interrogation rooms, ID parade and witness rooms, rooms for domestic violence cases, and children’s waiting rooms.

Minister Rohee said the rooms for case management is equipped with computerised technology in order that police officers can effectively prepare for legal cases; and this also allows for faster retrieval of cross-referencing information on suspects and weapons used in committing crimes.

The ID parade rooms will allow victims to identify suspects without facing them.

The Home Affairs Minister noted, however, that while government is doing its best to create a better environment for ranks to carry out their duties, it is crucial that they do their part to enhance the quality of service the public receives.

He stressed that there needs to better administrative arrangements at police stations and noted that too much ‘slackness’ is taking place.

For these remodelled stations to achieve their goals, he noted that there has to be stronger administration and he took the opportunity to warn ranks who may be guilty of treating the public disrespectfully.

He also urged station managers to ensure proper upkeep of the structures and to work together to curb crimes. (GINA)