The rise in traffic offences, noise nuisances and illegal liquor establishments were among the issues raised when the Disciplined Forces Commission held a sitting in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) last Wednesday.

The commission met in the boardroom of the Regional Democratic Council at Anna Regina and looked at matters relating to policing in the region.

According to reports, among the traffic issues raised were congestion at the Anna Regina car park, unlawful obstruction of the flow of traffic and seizure of drivers’ licences by police traffic officers.

The alleged wrongful termination of the services of an assistant commissioner of police, slow police action at Anna Regina following a report of larceny at a house in La Belle Alliance, noise nuisances and the increase in the numbers of illegal liquor establishments were also among the general matters raised.

A number of recommendations were offered for the reform of the Guyana Police Force during the hearing, including the need to implement an ongoing programme of education and training. It was suggested that three sets of uniforms per year be given to each police rank and a system of rotation instituted so that a rank would not spend more than one year at a station. In addition, a call was made for each police rank to become a member of a housing scheme after spending five years in the regular force. And it was also stated that promotions should be made on merit.

The commission is investigating the operations and composition of the disciplined forces with special focus on the police force. Justice of Appeal Ian Chang chairs the commission which also includes former attorney general, Charles Ramson, SC; former national security adviser, brigadier (rtd) David Granger; attorney Anil Nandlall; and Irish human rights activist Maggie Beirne.