SWAT team is not being treated or utilized properly

Sep 22, 2016 Letters

Dear Editor;
I will like to bring to your attention some developments in the Guyana Police Force’s S.W.A.T team. Since the establishment of this elite unit the primary duties are special operations in crime fighting. For several months now the Elite Unit has been inactive. This elite unit was specially trained in various aspects of high profile crime fighting e.g. drug raids, high profile escorts and many other intelligent police duties beyond the normal policing.
This Elite Unit conducted an eradication exercise in the Berbice River where it was successful. There were other high profile operations in Berbice where they were also successful. The crime rate was reduced when the Elite Unit was in Berbice. Since they were removed the crime rate has since increased.
Since the Elite Unit was sent back to Georgetown it has been doing normal police duties which are not its functions e.g. S.W.A.T team members were placed at hotel gates doing guard duties etc.
This Elite Unit was supposed to be doing strategic planning and emergency mode response preparations, practicing their entry and rescue tactics. Hundreds of millions were spent to establish and train this Elite Unit Team by foreign experts. The question I would like to ask is – if respective commanders for the S.W.A.T team have the authority to refuse to do certain duties —which a normal police can execute?
Another question I would like to ask is whether S.W.A.T members can refuse to take directives from commanders that are not assigned to this unit e.g. in execution of their (commanders) duties?
In comparison with worldwide S.W.A.T teams, Guyana S.W.A.T team is not permitted to carry personal firearms at all times for personal protection. This issue was brought to the attention of the relevant authorities in the past and nothing was done about it.
Is it that the relevant authority that is responsible for issuing these personal firearms do not have the trust and confidence in these S.W.A.T team members especially when the necessary screening(assessment and training) were done? This S.W.A.T team unit is beyond the normal police. It is noticed that ordinary police ranks carry their personal firearm for their personal protection. The question asked- how often does the Elite Unit conduct physical and tactical training?
1. Is there a gym provided free of cost or do team members have to utilize their personal finance for physical training?
2. Is there a monetary package for the members of the S.W.A.T team?
3. How often do these members practice at the ranges?
The living condition of the S.W.A.T. team members are much to be desired. The living quarters are congested, infested by rats, poor sewage conditions and surrounded by animals which are penned in close proximity to the living quarters. The stench from the animal dung and urine are unbearable. The security of the S.W.A.T. team members are not up to standard for their living quarters. All the questions and concerns that are listed above were brought to the attention of the relevant authorities and nothing was done about it. This is the main reason why I used your media to air these very important issues.
Concerned Citizen

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