Latest update November 18th, 2024 1:00 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Community Policing Groups Must Work Hand In Hand With Police.

Jun 28, 2015 Letters

Dear Editor,
Please allow to share my frustration on a situation that occured on Tuesday 24th June, 2015 in Region 5 concerning the security sector.
I was and am very upset as to the way the Community Policing Liaison Officer attached to the now Ministry of Public Security is behaving regarding assisting the Police at Fort Wellington, West Coast Berbice.
Like every organization, things change when a new body of executives take over.  But it does not seem like this liaison officer realizes that the PPP\C and Rohee are out of power and things will be done accordingly and not politically under this new administration.
It is my understanding that the various Community Policing Groups (CPG’S) ought to work hand in hand with the police in stopping crime and criminal activities.  But in Region 5 this does not seem to be the aim of the community policing groups.
On the said date mentioned above, I was informed that the Police at Fort Wellington Police Station had no vehicles to patrol and take prisoners to court.  However, upon enquiring, all the police vehicles were at a mechanic shop in Bath Settlement waiting to be repaired.  So I was asked to intervene by one of my party members in making sure that the police have a vehicle for the day to use and also if there is an emergency in the region they can respond.  I then went in search of the this CPG official, but he could not be reached on phone or be found at the time(around 09.00 hrs).  So I went and asked a rice farmer in Bath Settlement to borrow his pick up and he immediately loaned the vehicle.
Later that day around 13:00hrs, I eventually made contact with the then CPG official attached to the Ministry of Public Security, and asked him to assist the police by providing the CPG vehicle so that the police can carry out their work in case of an emergency in the region during the day.  Lo and behold, I had one of the most distasteful response from this man.
The official said that under the previous administration the then Minister Rohee made an order that no policing group vehicle should be used by the Police in uniform and that the vehicles should not be left at a police station and he has to abide by that order.  I tried to explain to this man who still seems to work under Rohee that I have to inform those in authority that there is no vehicle at the station at the time and also the Minister of Public Security will be visiting the said station the following day.  But still this man continued to tell me that Rohee passed that order and he will obey that.
After I insisted, he gave me a number to call for a man at Bush Lot, who had access to the vehicle. I called the number but was told by a female that the man was in the backdam and the vehicle is not there.
I was amazed the following day when the Public Security Minister visited the region and met with the CPGs and heard that former Minister Rohee had told the CPG’s that they cannot use private vehicles to patrol their communities.  Thanks to the Hon. Khemraj Ramjattan for responding by changing Rohee’s order, and telling the CPG members they can use private vehicles as long as it is being reported to the police.   I heard the chairman of the CPG in West Berbice asking the Minister of Public Security for more vehicles for the CPG.  But I will suggest that if the Minister is giving these CPGs vehicles, then make an order that during the day the vehicles be lodge at the Police station within the district so the police can have access to it during the nights.
The CPG are using the vehicles as if these vehicles are theirs.
Sometimes I see the vehicle carrying benches, tables, paddy, children, family, relatives’ and friends.  The vehicle is also being used sometimes by members of the CPG’s to go on outings and fishing during the day. This must stop.
Abel Seetaram

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | November, 15th, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Brewley’s ‘glut’ inspires Hard Knocks to ExxonMobil Futsal Championship Finals 

Brewley’s ‘glut’ inspires Hard Knocks to ExxonMobil Futsal...

Nov 18, 2024

-YMCA awaits in $1M Showdown on November 23  Kaieteur Sports –Futsal fans were treated to a thrilling spectacle at the Retrieve Hard Court in Linden on Saturday evening as Hard Knocks and YMCA...
Read More
Final T20 between England and West Indies washed out

Final T20 between England and West Indies washed...

Nov 18, 2024

Zion Gray propels Eagles to GBF Elite 16 Semi-Finals 

Zion Gray propels Eagles to GBF Elite 16...

Nov 18, 2024

Looknauth stars as Anacondas lift inaugural GCB betCageSports National T20 Title

Looknauth stars as Anacondas lift inaugural GCB...

Nov 18, 2024

Gold is Money wins inaugural Chung Global ‘Champion of Champions’ Tournament

Gold is Money wins inaugural Chung Global...

Nov 18, 2024

Afraz Budhoo – A promising cricketing star on the horizon 

Afraz Budhoo – A promising cricketing star...

Nov 18, 2024

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]