We will not change our position on Albouystown - Top Cop

We will not change our position on Albouystown – Top Cop

Apr 25, 2014 News

Commissioner of Police (ag) Seelall Persaud engaging residents
during the launch of ‘Impact Albouystown’ a few weeks ago.

Commissioner of Police (ag) Seelall Persaud says that the Force will not change its position in Albouystown unless it sees failure in achieving its principle of “providing the greatest good for the greatest number of people”.
Persaud made the declaration during his inaugural address at the belated opening of the Annual Police Officers’ Conference, which is being held at the Police Headquarters, Eve Leary.
Persaud was referring to criticisms of the police’s “Impact Albouystown” operation which was launched a few weeks ago in a bid to curtail criminal activity, in what the Force described as a volatile community.
According to the Acting Commissioner, the Guyana Police Force is proud of its achievements in Albouystown.
“Our partners, the resident faith-based organizations, have indicated that they are happy, the private sector has supported and pledged continued support. We had expected resistance and we had some since in the planning stage, particularly from those who benefit from crime and disorder. However we remain committed to base our policies on the principle to provide the greatest good to the greatest number of people,” Persaud told the audience, which included President Donald Ramotar and Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee among other dignitaries.
But the Top Cop will have to ensure that the successes in Albouystown are not undermined by ranks who act contrary to the Force’s motto which is ‘to protect and serve’.
“I’ve seen some of our members involved in all sorts of excesses against the very members of the public that we are supposed to serve, however, I’ve also observed members that have displayed great commitment and dedication to duty,” Persaud said.
According to the acting commissioner, the present effort of the Force’s administration is to seek to control excesses. To this end, the organization is committed to continue working with the Ministry of Home Affairs to realize the Force’s strategic plan.
To achieve this, he said, the executive leadership team, which comprises Divisional and Branch Commanders along with the civilian-based Strategic Management Department will have a major role to play.
“I wish to inform that they have all renewed their commitment to this process,” Persaud said.
As part of the reform process, the Police Force is cognizant of the need to enhance public trust, an area which has not escaped the new Top Cop.
Persaud said that there are a host of initiatives, which are based directly on addressing public trust, and which seek to enhance the Force’s operations in ways that will ensure public trust.
Already the force has commenced placing a bulletin board in each police station.
“That bulletin board will have information that will include what the public should expect from us; the name and cellphone number of the person in charge of the station, the rank in charge of the Sub-Division and the Officer in Charge of the Division,” Persaud explained.
The bulletin board will also have details on the station’s performance in treating with crime and disorder; it will also have information on prisoners’ rights and human rights among others.