Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee recently met with newly elected Community Policing Groups (CPGs) to discuss their roles and policies and to encourage them to build on the experiences of former CPG executives.
According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release the meeting which was held at the Police Officers’ Mess, Eve Leary attracted representatives from CPGs from the A, B, C, D, E, F and G divisions.
In extending congratulations to the newly elected CPG representatives, the minister noted that their addition will help to rejuvenate the groups. He also pointed out that while differences may occur from time to time, it is important that the groups maintain their “holistic goal”…“in the best interest of not only the sustainability of CPGs, but to the benefit of the country as a whole.”
He also made a special appeal to newly elected executives to cooperate and urged them not to isolate ex-executives as they are still regarded as CPG members.
The minister said elections to select executives were not held to expel anyone, but rather to have a more functional CPG structure. Rohee also encouraged members to interact with past executive members to gain a thorough understanding of what the CPF programmes and activities could require for this year.
According to Rohee government policies with regards to community policing should be considered an integral role in Guyana’s crime fighting strategy. In addition, Major General ret’d Norman McLean said government investments in community policing over the years, have been on par, noting that today, compared to 10 years prior, the members are better equipped to deal with crimes in communities.
McLean noted that community policing is not a new trend in Guyana or the world at large but it has been expanding as it is seen as a critical element in the modernisation of the Guyana Police Force and crime fighting. He listed four critical components in the crime fighting methods: the role of community policing, technological progress, professionalism and accountability.
GINA said the divisional chairpersons are Godfrey Washington-‘A’ Division; Abdul Satar- ‘B’ Division; Donald Trotman- ‘C’ Division; Omesh Satyanand- ‘D’ Division; Edart Forrester- ‘E’ Division; Basil Jones- ‘F’ Division and Chowlat Ali, ‘G’ Division.