British High Commissioner to Guyana Fraser Wheeler has said that former New York police commissioner Bernard Kerik’s advisory position with government would not affect the UK’s assistance to the Guyana Police Force.
Wheeler made the comment yesterday to local media operatives after the presentation of traffic equipment to the police force.
According to a Govern-ment Information Agency (GINA) release Wheeler said:
“The present administration has shown its commitment to the reform of the security force and this is one reason why we will continue to work with them to ensure this is achieved.”
The High Commissioner was asked whether the UK was concerned over Kerik’s connection with the reform process, in the light of his alleged involvement in tax fraud during his term as NY police commissioner.
According to GINA, Wheeler said Kerik’s appointment does not impact on the UK’s assistance. “This is really a question for the government but I want to say that Kerik’s contract arrangement has nothing to do with us helping in this process. Fighting security is very complex and important also. We must find ways to make it happen and I am confident we will.”
Government has recruited Kerik on a one-year contract effective February 1, 2007. He is to provide security advice to the Office of the President and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Wheeler said the UK government and the Government of Guyana recognised that in order to achieve police reform, a comprehensive solution has to be found, and they have already moved in this direction.
Meanwhile, GINA said Commissioner of Police (ag) Henry Greene said several training programmes that the UK has provided to the local security officers have had significant impact on their performance.
The agency quoted Greene as saying, “It’s coincidental that we are meeting today because this afternoon we will be providing to government some study recommendations on the reform process. It’s no secret that we are committed to this process.”
Government is working to implement the police reform by year-end.
The reform process includes several initiatives such as the establishment of a modern forensic laboratory. Greene said the British government was playing an integral role, in the training of an anti-crime unit among other things.
