Rohee tells police ranks to live within their means

Sep 06, 2011 News

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‘Ignore those who say your pay is small’

Members of Guyana’s law enforcement agencies were warned by the Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, to live within their means. He advised them not to pay heed to those who tell them that their salaries are too small.
The Minister indicated that he is happy about certain exposé of a particular character appearing in daily newspapers. He added that there are some people attacking the Government and claiming to be friends of the Police Force. These people are also exposing the shortcomings of the Force.
The junior ranks were cautioned to be wise about the relationship they would develop with such individuals since they would be in constant contact with them. Minister Rohee emphasized that police officers should be credible, have good values and work ethics, and possess leadership qualities.

If it is any comfort to members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the Minister stressed that the force is facing challenges and these must not be seen as impediments but as opportunities for development.
This is a period in the history of the force to strive to look at the broader picture and take into consideration the body’s motto, to serve and protect, he stated.
Minister Rohee’s remarks came yesterday at the GPF Opening Ceremony of the Junior Officers’ Course No.21. The function was held at the Police Officers’ Mess Annexe, Eve Leary, under the theme ‘Training for Greater Efficiency and Effectiveness’.
He noted that citizens demand better policing and to achieve that there must be a properly trained policing organization. The Police Force must design programmes and strategies to manage the organization.
Minister Rohee noted that these training programmes must not be seen as routine but as a critical component to the development of the force and other agencies. Lessons learnt will be utilized in the daily operations of the Force.
He alluded to the fact that with increasing gold prices, the population of Guyana’s interior is increasing and has attracted dubious characters, which have been robbing and murdering persons for their valuables. As a result, resources from the Police Force have been diverted to the interior locations.
Citizens, in collaboration with the Police Force, have to curb the increasing number of accidents on the roadways. While those are important matters that need addressing, the Commanders and other officers have to manage crime in the City, Rohee said.
In addition, officers have to prepare for the upcoming National Elections scheduled for year-end. He said that officers must have an overarching view of crime in the City.
The Minister emphasized that this course provides benefit to the force and is important in two ways: 1) creating professionalism in the Force; and 2) succession planning.
He explained that public confidence in the Police Force is critical for it to be efficient and effective. However, unless the ranks and files of the Force adopt a professional posture on a continuous basis when engaging the public, the degree to which the public will provide you with cooperation will be affected in a negative way.
Minister Rohee charged the ranks to always remember that the support of the public is critical to the work of the police but this is not limited to the police. The other Law Enforcement Agencies need public support to carry out their functions.
“The issue of professionalism has to form the basis of the work of all members of the Disciplined Services. Members of the Force especially are required to be evenhanded when addressing all issues, if Public confidence in the Force is to be improved,” he stated.
He added that this training is also important for the continued viability of the Guyana Police Force. Invariably, the members of the Middle Level structure of the Force, if they perform well will graduate to the upper structure of the Organization.
It was stated, “In other words, many of you, if you do not fall by the “wayside”, could end up being the senior managers of the Organization. This would however only be realized, if proper training and deliberate succession planning strategies are in place to facilitate that objective”.
The course commenced on August 8 and is scheduled to conclude on October 28 and caters for 27 participants. The participants are from the GPF, Division/ Branches, Guyana Fire Services (GFS), Guyana Prison Services (GPS) and the City Constabulary.
Nine of the beneficiaries are Assistant Superintendents of the GPF; one Assistant Superintendent of the GPS; three Cadet Officers of the GPF; one Cadet Officer of the GFS; one Chief Inspector of the GPF; 11 Inspectors of the GPF; and one Inspector of the City Constabulary.
The course serves to improve the performances of the participants in their present rank and to where else applicable to prepare them for senior positions in the Force. However, it is not a promotional course.
Some of the objectives of the course include improving the students’ professionalism and competence, impart leadership qualities, and expose ranks to communications skills.
The course outline includes Conflict Resolution, Role and Function of the Manager, Report Writing, Social Change; and understanding Government.

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