UK proposal for security sector …Strengthening crime fighting mechanisms high on agenda

UK proposal for security sector …Strengthening crime fighting mechanisms high on agenda – Pres. Granger

Jun 05, 2016 News

President David Granger has reaffirmed government‘s commitment to strengthening the crime fighting mechanisms even as support for the nation’s security sector has been forthcoming from the United Kingdom,(UK).

President David Granger

Speaking at a recent press briefing at his Ministry of the Presidency Main Office, Granger told reporters that emphasis on strengthening the work of law enforcement officers, particularly police crime fighting mechanisms, remains high on the agenda of the Government.
The Head of State was responding to questions on the UK’s proposal for security sector reform in Guyana which was handed over on Tuesday last.
During his recent visit to Guyana, Parliamentary under-Secretary of State in the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office with specific responsibility for Caribbean relations, James Duddridge, had announced that a proposal for security sector reform by the UK to the Guyana government was set to be handed over.
The UK had offered a hefty sum for the SSRAP, but the previous government refused it on the grounds that the British law enforcement had too much of a big role in the implementation of the plan.
Last year, the Granger administration approached the UK High Commissioner James Quinn, seeking to access the same Security Sector Reform Action Plan (SSRAP).
On Wednesday, Granger told reporters that he met with British Prime Minister David Cameron to discuss the matter during a recent visit to the UK.
As a result, the President said that a team of officials was sent to Guyana from the UK to start the process.
Asked specifically what the course of action may be like, Granger noted that it will definitely include strengthening security cooperation, improving law enforcement particularly police work in terms of interdicting gun running, narco -trafficking , execution , murders, and strengthening the overall work of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
During a recent press briefing, British High Commissioner, Gregory Quinn had indicated that a team would have looked at the Guyana Police Force to see what is lacking, identified the gaps, and then strategized as to what could be done to address those gaps.
The original plan was developed in 2006 and was to be implemented in 2009; together with a three-year capacity building plan for a National Security Committee in the National Assembly between 2007 and 2009 had described parliamentary oversight as being at the core of democratic governance and management of the security sector, and key to the success of the programme.
Security Sector Reform was seen as a critical component for the attainment of good and democratic governance and was twinned with the Commonwealth Secretariat’s sponsorship of the needs assessment of the National Assembly conducted by Sir Michael Davies and the recommendations which flowed there from 2005.
The inextricable link between governance and security was recognized, assessed, and addressed through the recommendations made.
The SSRAP had highlighted that “Guyana remains dangerously close to tipping point. The consequences of failure – of the various stakeholders to seize the moment, to engage and initiate decisive action – may well be the transformation of Guyana into a failed state and/or haven for international criminality, with all the regional and international implications that this may entail. This is a development that should be avoided at all costs and will entail some give and take and flexibility on all sides, in the interests of the long suffering people of Guyana.”