These were among the decisions coming out of the three-day Annual Police Officers Conference, which concluded yesterday. Among the others are the maintenance of backland patrols on the East Coast Demerara, West Demerara and Berbice as well as marine patrols among `D’, `E’ & `F’ Divisions and in the Waini River in the north west; decentralizing of sniffer dogs in the police divisions; creation of roving teams to patrol border and interior locations including Aranka and Aranapai and procurement of a second boat for `B’ Division to increase patrols and respond to reports on the Corentyne Coast and the Canje and Berbice rivers. The Spanish and Portuguese classes will in particular be directed at those attached to border locations and the Immigration Department.
According to a statement released by the Police Public Relations Office, the 146 officers in attendance were divided into groups and discussions were held on a variety of issues including the National Public Policy, the global economic and financial situation, intelligence-led policing, drug trafficking, allegations of police misconduct and the improvement of police/community relations. Discussions were also held on issues that arose out of the one-day Inspectors and Sergeants Conference that was held last month as well a number of issues critical to the enhancement of police operational capabilities and the improvement of ranks.
Those attending the conference also focused significantly on the force’s response capability to crime scenes, crime reduction and traffic management, policing of the interior with emphasis on the Guyana/Brazil Bridge, the construction of a new forensic laboratory, police reform under the Citizens Security Programme (CSP), preparation for local government and general elections as well as police misconduct and corruption.
Significant deliberations were held on the training of police ranks in order to develop their knowledge, skill and ability aimed at enhancing service delivery. Key in the discussions were the training being provided between October last and August by the Emergence Group under the CSP, the computerization of police stations in order to access the operational benefits to be derived from the Integrated Crime Information System (ICIS) and the Crime Observatory which are intended to create an enabling environment wherein comprehensive, up-to-date crime related information is readily available.
Those attending the conference agreed that the upcoming ICC World 20/20 cricket competition will be a major event and subsequent discussions will enable officers to plan for the complexities that will have to be taken into account in policing the competition and in ensuring that it is conducted in a stable environment.
Divisional commanders briefed the conference on their preparations for the impending local government and general elections.
The Traffic Department was congratulated for maintaining the rigid enforcement against speeding and drunken driving last year, though fatal accidents were four more than the 113 recorded in 2008.
Issues raised by President Bharrat Jagdeo, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee and Police Commissioner Henry Greene in their addresses were focused on in the deliberations, the statement said.
The conference was to conclude last evening with the traditional Mess Dinner at the Police Officers’ Mess where eight officers with an accumulated total of 263 years of service were to be dined out and 17 newly promoted officers were to be dined in.
