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Community Policing Organisation celebrates 39th anniversary
The Ministry of Home Affairs’ Community Policing Organisation of Guyana (CPOG) is celebrating its 39th anniversary, under the theme “Community Policing Supporting the Fight against Domestic Violence, Suicide and Promoting Road Safety.”
Speaking at a press conference on Friday last at the ministry’s Boardroom, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee said that over the past 39 years, CPGs have successfully been providing voluntary service to the people of Guyana.
A section of the Community Policing Groups Reps at the press conference at the Ministry of Home Affairs.
He added that the celebrations, which began today, will conclude with a fun day in Essequibo, on March 29, 2015, as Essequibo has been the chosen district for the main activities. However, activities are planned for all 15 community policing divisions.
He further pointed out that it was the vision of Henry Fraser, the late Commissioner of Police, to establish community policing in Guyana, and Minister Rohee noted that this has relevance today, as it did 39 years ago.
During the period 2013-2014, the CPGs conducted 8,527 vehicular patrols, 4,838 motor cycle patrols, 8,344 bicycle patrols, 19,994 foot patrols 1,078 boat patrols and 381 ATV (All Terrain Vehicles) patrols. This resulted in 920 arrests, ranging from murders to domestic violence.
These patrols were also able to reduce electricity thefts and vandalism of fibre optic cables in their various divisions.
In 2014 there was a 23% increase in the membership of CPGs. The year also saw the provision of additional uniforms, vehicles and equipment to all the groups.
An award scheme for liaison officers, members of the business community, contributing to the sustenance of the various groups, and outstanding community policing groups and members was also introduced in 2014, along with training programmes for liaison officers.
Minister Rohee also acknowledged that community policing in Guyana commenced in the year 1976 with the objective “To harness the energies of willing members of communities across Guyana, in support of the work of the police, to achieve a crime-free society, and to be responsive, together with the police, to the needs of the communities in respect of the necessity to maintain law and order.”
In this regard, CPGs were established in all the police divisions in Guyana, with the aim of crime prevention at the community level and the protection of public property. This was later expanded to embrace the development of youth, health consciousness, road safety, and environmental enhancement, along with any other activity of benefit to the community.
The Minister also noted that the current membership of CPOG consists of 270 groups, with a total of 5,201 members, with the largest group coming out of ‘B’ Division.
Over the past six years, a total of $518, 723,000 was allocated to CPOG for capital works, and $113,900,000 as current expenditures. This money was expended on motor vehicles boats, outboard engines, motor cycles, grass cutters, sports equipment, equipment for disaster preparedness training, uniforms, searchlights, VHF radio equipment, life jackets, ATVs, bicycles, laminating machines, spot lights, photocopying machines, cameras, and continuous training and awards.
Over the years, the CPG members were exposed to training to fight crimes in various areas. These include policing, administration, domestic violence, Trafficking in Persons (TIP), interpersonal violence, fire fighting, road safety, first aid, suicide awareness and communication and disaster preparedness.
The Minister expressed gratitude to the groups and encouraged them to continue the good work in the years ahead.
He said that the Ministry of Home Affairs and the CPOG wished to thank the Government of Guyana, for all the support rendered throughout the years. (GINA)
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