Police to aggressively pursue wanted persons
- targeted patrols to be intensified
Kaieteur News
February 11, 2007
Officers of the Guyana Police Force have resolved to aggressively pursue wanted persons and intensify targeted patrols to reduce crime through intelligence.
The decision was taken at the recently concluded Police Officers' Annual Conference at Police Headquarters, Eve Leary.
This was among the key issues deliberated by the 139 officers who attended the event.
The officers also took a decision to implement measures to reduce the number of illegal firearms in the country and to improve on Police response and to build public confidence.
It was emphasised that the force must be servants and not masters of the public.
The conference was convened under the theme “ Enhancing Community Safety and Security through Partnership, Professionalism and Reform ”.
Focal to the deliberations were issues raised by President Bharrat Jagdeo in his address at the opening of the conference and points raised by the Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Clement Rohee in his maiden address to the officers.
The officers also discussed issues raised by Acting Commissioner Henry Greene in his address.
Some of the issues included the current crime trends, the traffic situation, Community and Neighbourhood Policing, Cricket World Cup 2007, key issues and concerns in Divisions and Branches, police reform and the Rio Summit.
During the conference, Acting Commissioner Greene addressed officers on the President's initiative on the Reform of the Guyana Police Force, including the special firearms unit, human resource development, intelligence gathering, forensic and investigative capability.
The conference also endorsed the initiative between the force and the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company in the creation of an Emergency Short Messaging Service [E-SMS], which will become operational from March 1, 2007.
This is in order to alleviate the present difficulties with the 911 system.
Traffic
The regular occurrences of traffic accidents, especially those resulting in fatalities and traffic congestion in the city and its environs, were considered.
The officers resolved to pursue rigid enforcement of the traffic laws in all its forms and to complete all aspects of the reform by the end of 2007.
These include ticketing system, review of the Learner/Driver Programme, four compulsory lectures to be attended by potential theoretical learner/drivers, reintroduction of day and night eye tests for drivers and the review of the issuance of the regular driver and provisional driver's licences.
Cricket World Cup and the Rio Summit
The implications of hosting both events in Guyana were also looked at by the police officers deliberations on a wide range of issues and concerns including security for Teams, Officials, Media and Sponsors (TOMS), and the ongoing training of ranks to facilitate their roles were also considered.
During these deliberations, the officers resolved to adopt strategies and implement tactics to ensure that the events are concluded in a peaceful and orderly environment for the safety of all concerned.
In an effort to enhance officers' awareness of the security implications, table top exercises were conducted with relevant scenarios. These generated intense participation and discussion among the officers.
Domestic Violence
The Conference recognised that domestic violence is a societal problem and requires an effective law enforcement response.
It resolved to continue training ranks to understand their roles as it relates to how complaints of domestic violence are treated.
Discussions were held on the provision in the Reform Package for facilities to be installed at stations to address the care and collection of evidence, affording privacy and confidentiality.
The officers accepted the pronouncement by President Jagdeo of his support for and confidence in the Acting Commissioner of Police and noted in his statement that “Society owed the Joint Services a debt of gratitude”.
It also complimented his message to members of the force that he is extremely proud of their work.
The conference also resolved to continue to give full support to the Acting Commissioner in his continuing efforts to stem lawlessness and ensure a safer society.
In relation to the Commissioner's closing remarks to officers, the conference recognised the paramount nature of his views and advice on an officer's role as a leader and resolved to embark on critical and constructive introspection to improve on the management of their charges and delivery of service to the citizenry.