Residents of Rose Hall Town turned out on Thursday to witness the opening of a new $3.6M police outpost, almost one year to the day after a large band of heavily armed bandits stormed the town and shot dead two policemen and a teenager.

Terror reigned in the Corentyne, Berbice town on the night of July 21, 2002 during a six-hour siege which began shortly after the conclusion of the PPP Congress in nearby Port Mourant. Businesses and homes were pillaged and raked with gunfire before the robbers escaped by sea. In their wake, Constables Outar Kissoon and Ramphal Pardat, as well as 17-year-old Balram Khandai, a delegate to the conference, were shot dead. Also Mohan Latchman called ‘Ganesh’, 72, collapsed and died of a heart attack brought on by the mayhem.

The old police outpost, two dilapidated Tata buses, was left in shambles after the attack, but long before that ill-fated night, discussions had been in train for the construction of a proper outpost.

Today only wooden stalls stand on the narrow track of dirt where the outpost once stood, and opposite, in a secure compound, stands the new concrete building.

Thursday’s activity kicked off shortly after noon with a road corner serenade from members of the Police Force Band under the town’s Independence arch. By 2 pm the compound of the outpost was crammed

But amid the jubilation, residents were urged to work together for a safer community.

“As citizens of our country, we all have to be concerned of what’s happening. We cannot sit by idly and allow lawlessness and criminal intent to continue to drive fear and suspicion in our society. As a people, we have to address, rethink and contemplate on what are the new measures we now have to address to deal with the situation... This institution will not solve all of our problems, but at least it is a beginning for Rose Hall [to have] a decent police outpost, where people can come to join forces to fight against crime,” said Kumkarran Ramdas, Regional Chairman.

He further called on all the social partners, the business community, the university, Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and municipalities to work out new strategies and a new modus operandi on how to deal with security issues in the region.

“I think it is imperative for us to do that now. We know the tremendous responsibility and task for the Police Force they have today, and we know the criticism that has been levelled against them. But as citizens, we too have a responsibility...The time has now come, like the municipalities, to have our own constables. The time has now come for the NDCs also, to (have) included in their budget allocation, a certain sum where members of the community can come and train as rural constables,” Ramdas stated.

In an equally urgent call, both Police Commissioner (ag) Floyd McDonald and Home Affairs Minister Ronald Gajraj called for more Berbicians to join the force. Minister Gajraj, who delivered the feature address was particularly critical of the attitude of some members of the force and warned that they should serve in a professional manner.

“It is our hope that they will walk the plank of integrity and professionalism, because very often I get complaints about policemen who [are] downright corrupt. While it is a position that cannot be tolerated...for every corrupt policeman in the force, there are corrupt members of the public out there. Because in the absence of corrupt members of the public, the chances of there being corrupt policemen will be virtually reduced, if not non-existent,” Gajraj suggested.

He further urged residents to lend positive assistance to the force, since the efficiency of the force depended on the cooperation it gets from the members of the community.

“You have an important role to play if the police are to be successful in discharging their mandate...That is why they [government] have put a lot of emphasis in community policing. We have said from a governmental position that community policing is here to stay...”

While this is so, Gajraj maintained that members of the force would continue to serve an advisory capacity. The minister also promised to address the issue of complaints levelled against members of the force.

“I have significant numbers of complaints and I would say 60 to 70 per cent involve what is perceived to be wrongdoing on the part of the police...If the police officers and other ranks as well are to act in a professional manner and to deal with matters that befit the profession, then I feel sure that a significant number of complaints that reach my attention will never get past a station level... but so long as citizens continue to complain against the behaviour of some members of the force, we have to address that issue. We can spend all the money on an outpost, but it would do little if the people who are there display a negative attitude towards the people they are supposed to serve...you must ensure that your house is clean before you try to clean the houses of others,” the Home Affairs Minister urged.

A committee will manage the Rose Hall Outpost, one of a number of projects the force has embarked on in the region. But McDonald reminded the ranks to be stationed there that they had a duty to provide quality service.

“This community needs constant police presence and attention...we will provide you with that...to the members of the force who will be stationed here, I charge you to be good ambassadors of the Guyana Police Force. You are expected to be visible [and] respond to reports and complaints on a timely basis. Your job is to provide service and protection to the people of Rose Hall and its environs. Remember that you are not here to make life difficult for anyone. Your job is to ensure that persons go about their daily activities without hindrance from other persons. I urge you to forge good relationships with the community, including CP (community policing) groups, which can provide you with valuable assistance. Partnerships in policing are very important...In terms of your protection, your protection on many occasions is derived from the environment in which you operate,” McDonald stated.

As one outpost stands complete, authorities have already turned their attention to embark on emergency work at Whim.