Latest update April 14th, 2026 12:38 AM
Voluntarism is the bedrock of community policing – Rohee
– As inaugural award ceremony for CPGs is held
The Home Affairs Ministry yesterday hosted the first ever award ceremony to recognise outstanding members of Community Policing Groups (CPGs) and of the business community which have significantly assisted those groups (monetary and otherwise) to conduct patrols and other policing activities in communities across the various police divisions.
Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee delivering remarks at the first ever award ceremony for members of Community Policing Groups at his Brickdam Office
Plaques and trophies were handed out to 12 CPGs, 17 members of individual groups, five businesses and two officers who performed creditably in liaising with the groups in their respective divisions and the National Community Policing Executive body, and by extension, the Ministry of Home Affairs.
This inaugural event is the brainchild of Taajnauth Jadunauth and Major General (Rtd) Norman McLean who are honorary members of the Community Policing Organisation of Guyana (CPOG). These awards were given out for outstanding performance in 2012. The 2013 list is being refined
Jadunauth commended the leadership and commitment of Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee in ensuring that the necessary resources are made available to CPG members to execute their functions.
The process by which the awardees were selected was transparent; whereby questionnaires were sent out to the various divisions for the identification of persons deemed fit to be recipients. Jadunauth said that on the next occasion, the appraisal forms will be sent directly to the individual groups.
Meanwhile, Minister Rohee expressed the hope that this recognition will serve as an incentive for members. Unlike traffic wardens, rural constables and neighbourhood police, CPG members offer their services voluntarily. The Minister said that this spirit of voluntarism is the bedrock of community policing.
”This voluntary aspect where people are prepared to give back something to their communities and their country is what really matters,” the Minister said.
He explained that if citizens are prepared to give their services for one hour; it can make a tremendous difference because in many instances, crimes are committed and innocent people are robbed and killed in a matter of seconds.
“So one hour of commitment and dedication manifested through the ranks of community policing is precious…I believe that community policing in this country has come a very far way from when we first started,” the Home Affairs Minister stated.
He informed too, that Guyana is the only country in the Caribbean that has such a vibrant, functional and well-organised community policing organisation. This he said, was made possible as a result of
Seated from left: Major General (Rtd) Norman McLean and Taajnauth Jadunauth (both honorary members of the Community Policing Organisation of Guyana), Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs (ag), Floyd McDonald along with the awardees.
firstly, the political will from the part of the Government of Guyana and secondly, the commitment, dedication and passion from citizens themselves.
The 17 CPG members were drawn from the following areas : Festival City, South Ruimveldt Gardens, Bath-Waterloo-Experiment, Shieldstown, Bush Lot, Vigilance-Bladen Hall, Vryheid’s Lust North, Lusignan Pasture, Good Hope-Supenaam, Anna Regina North, and Sarah, Belle Plaine, and Eastern Wakenaam.
CPGs are tasked with keeping vigilant watch by patrolling in and around their respective communities, working with religious leaders and other NGOs to promote the development of moral values in communities, engaging youths in meaningful activities and equipping women to assist in crime fight and detection.
The CPOG currently has a membership of 4424 citizens across the country; making it the largest volunteer-driven body in Guyana.
In March this year, this body celebrated its 38th anniversary.
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