Latest update December 3rd, 2024 1:00 AM
Latest News
- Exxon says US$2.5B spent to purchase oil ships is a ‘win’ for company
- Guyana’s 3rd oil project achieved fastest ramp-up in the history of deep-water operations- ExxonMobil Guyana President
- After days of Israeli strikes, Hezbollah hits back, each accusing the other of ceasefire violations
- 791 drivers nabbed speeding in last week of November-police
- Jagdeo blanks Opposition representation on procurement boards
GPA urges police to provide monthly crime stats, timely information
Kaieteur News – The Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Wednesday met with the Guyana Press Association (GPA), to discuss fostering a better relationship between the GPF and the media fraternity.
GPA President, Nazima Raghubir, and Secretary, Iva Wharton, met with Acting Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken, Deputy Commissioner, Calvin Brutus, Deputy Commissioner and Crime Chief, Wendell Blanhum, Head of the Corporate Communications Unit (CCU), Mark Ramotar, and Deputy CCU Head, Stan Gouveia.
The police in a statement noted that Hicken welcomed the GPA team to the Commissioners’ Conference Room and said the long overdue and much-anticipated meeting was like ‘a breath of fresh air’ and augurs well in efforts aimed at strengthening the existing relationship between the GPF and members of the media.
Commissioner Hicken alluded to the fact that the media is an essential component of law enforcement and plays a crucial role in information dissemination and ensuring peace and stability in the nation, the police release stated. GPA President Raghubir, in her remarks, acknowledged the marked improvement in relations between the GPF and the media in recent times.
Meanwhile, in a statement of its own, GPA noted that it raised a number of issues among them, requesting authorisation of Commanders to speak with the media, for the provision of contacts for Commanders, Deputy Commanders, the Traffic Chief and Crime Chief as well as the timely provision of information especially on major incidents, where confirmation and accurate information would be needed. The body also requested the provision of monthly crime and traffic accidents and incidents statistics along with comparative figures for corresponding periods with as much as possible, detailed statistics on a quarterly basis.
GPA executives and officials from the GPF at the meeting on Wednesday
With widespread disinformation on various issues relating to policing as well as crime, the GPA also recommended frequent media engagements with the police via press conferences, familiarization sessions as well as training.
In response, Commissioner Hicken explained that the nature of Police PR dictates that information must be fact-checked and accurate before dissemination. As such, he noted that this process may not always be timely. Commissioner Hicken also noted that the GPF remains open to working with the Press Association, and several suggestions for facilitating this were made from both sides. All present at the meeting made individual contributions to collectively improve relations between the GPF and the Media.
- GPA President, Guyana Police Force (GPF), Guyana Press Association (GPA), Iva Wharton, Nazima Raghubir, Secretary
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Morally Right. Legally wrong
…Peeping Tom Morally Right. Legally wrong Kaieteur News- The situation concerning the disputed parliamentary seat held... more
Haiti: Tragically Descending into Deeper Crisis
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- As gang violence spirals out of control in Haiti, the limitations of international... more
Weekend Cartoon
