Attorneys must have access to their clients in police custody – Greene

Jan 29, 2009 News

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The need for attorneys-at-law to have access to their clients, including prisoners in the lockups, was one of the high points for discussion at the recently concluded inaugural conference for sergeants and inspectors of the Guyana Police Force.
The issue was raised by Commissioner of Police Henry Greene during his feature address at the opening of the conference, which was held last Friday at the Police Officers’ Mess Annexe, Eve Leary, under the theme “Frontline Management a Catalyst for Hastened Reform, Effective Partnership and Professional Policing”.
Recently, several attorneys-at-law have complained about difficulties experienced when attempting to speak to their clients while they are in police custody.
The issue sparked controversy a few weeks ago between the police and an attorney-at-law who had alleged that he was ordered out of the headquarters of the Criminal Investigations Department, when he enquired about his client who was being held there.
A total of 253 Inspectors and Sergeants from the divisions and branches of the force attended the Conference and focal in the deliberations were issues raised by the Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee, and Commissioner of Police Henry Greene.
It is expected that the charges and issues raised by both the Minister and Commissioner will be taken back to the respective divisions and branches of the force to enable ranks to better represent the organisation.
The Minister expressed his concern about a number of issues that seem to affect the proper management of police stations and the thrust of the Guyana Police Force to forge better relationships with members of the public.
Identifying Inspectors and Sergeants as the ‘eyes and ears of the Force’, the Minister stated that it was important that they perform their duties in an efficient and effective manner in order that the Guyana Police Force can achieve its objective of providing service and protection to the public, and urged the ranks to utilize training opportunities in order to perform better.
Police Commissioner Henry Greene, DSM, emphasised that the idea for the Conference came out of the cognisance of concerns of government and some Ministries about what was happening at police stations; and concerns about a number of issues including domestic violence and the police response to domestic violence, which was recognized as having to do with the efficiency of the middle management of the force – the Inspectors and Sergeants.
He added a sub-theme for the Conference, “Your views count”, and posited that the views of the Inspectors and Sergeants were vital to the efficiency of the force, since they have a key role to play in the organisation as they stood in the centre as a link between the top management and those below.
He urged them to do an introspection to determine if they were giving of their best on the job and called on them to be mentors of junior ranks while seeking mentors among their seniors.
He emphasised the need for them to apply themselves for the benefit of the Police Force and the country, and issued a clarion call for ranks to take firm and stern action in the execution of their lawful duties.
Greene again reiterated that the Police Force is “One Station” and reports must be accepted from members of the public at whatever station they are made.
He lamented the fact that members of the public were still being sent from station to station in response to reports made and warned that condign action will be taken against ranks who did not take the initial report made by any member of the public at any police station.
The Commissioner said that the Force’s middle managers – Inspectors and Sergeants – must engage in ‘example setting’ by being role models of neatness and tidiness in uniform and by their very words and actions.
He stressed that priority should be given to the regular inspection of cash and property, securing the property of members of the public, the care and custody of prisoners, including the rights of prisoners.
The Commissioner outlined the need for self development and encouraged the Inspectors and Sergeants to continue to apply themselves to their responsibilities in order to improve the image of the Force.
He called on them to embrace computerization as a way of the future and to embrace police reform, which includes the establishment of a new forensic laboratory, the creation of a new training environment at Dora on the Linden Highway, the construction of a new training institution which would enhance the quality of training locally and facilitate overseas participation, and the alteration of police stations initially in Georgetown and Berbice in order to facilitate privacy and confidentiality in handling domestic violence matters and identification parades.
The Conference was chaired by Inspector Kenrick Parris who spoke glowingly about the historic conference, giving due recognition to the Commissioner of Police for his initiative which saw the event being oversubscribed to the point where a number of Inspectors and Sergeants had to be told that they could not attend.
The Sergeants and Inspectors took cognisance of the issues and concerns raised by the Minister of Home Affairs and the Commissioner of Police, and were encouraged and motivated to redouble efforts to improve the quality of service to the public.
Presentations were made by Senior Officers and thereafter several group presentations by the Inspectors and Sergeants which generated enthusiastic interaction and the exchange of ideas.
There were lengthy discussions on a number of issues critical to the improvement of police operations.
The Commissioner expressed the hope that the Conference will result in renewed hope, energy and dedication, and better understanding, sensitivity and consciousness about the issues facing the Police Force.
He also expressed his desire to see urgent action being taken on reports made at stations and quick response to complaints made by members of the public to the Minister of Home Affairs, the Police Complaints Authority, the Commissioner of Police and to Divisional Commanders.

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