Force closer to ending crime spree - Gajraj
Protective gear handed over to police
Stabroek News
August 17, 2002
The Guyana Police Force is closer to bringing closure to the chronic crime plaguing Guyana, according to Minister of Home Affairs, Ronald Gajraj.
And the force's ability to achieve the minister's prediction was further enhanced yesterday when it was presented with some 22 complete protective gear sets, made possible through the collaboration of a Canadian company, Med-Ink System and Guyanese living in that country.
Guyana's High Commissioner to Canada, Rajnarine Singh, presented the gear, which protects almost every part of the body. Singh said that the sets cost close to $2 million.
Gajraj said that members of the force have displayed much stamina and resilience in fighting crime, adding that the force was growing from strength to strength. The minister issued a call to the general public to come out and give assistance to the force since all are affected.
"We have to come together and do what is necessary in order to rid our society of these vices," the minister said.
The minister feels that while locals are involved in the rash of crimes faced by the force, the expertise to execute these is imported.
He said that the government would give every support to the force in its quest to maintain law and order and make sure that there is no breach of the peace. The minister disclosed that in discussion with Singh he has been able to acquire some equipment to be used in the police forensic lab and these pieces will arrive in the country shortly.
Acting Commissioner of Police, Floyd McDonald, said that the donation was in keeping with the quest to modernise the force.
McDonald said that the safety of ranks should always be of paramount importance and added that when ranks are properly protected they were better able to execute their jobs. He pledged that he would continue to push for the force to have better equipment.
Singh said that the Guyanese community in Canada had been following the situation here and was alarmed by the crime spree. The donation was made, he said, because they were aware that while the government was trying its best, it would not be able to do all it should because of limited resources.