The Guyana Police Force (GPF) yesterday showed off its $37 million water cannon in its first public demonstration.
Police force recruits were used as faux protestors as members of GPF demonstrated how the cannon will be used to quell public unrest.
The demonstration began with water being acquired from a nearby pond, and then the group of about 20 recruits, who acted as a disorderly crowd, was blasted with the water.
After a few missed firings, the force of the water hit the recruits and some were swept off their feet. However, during the water acquisition process the cannon was stuck and had to be pushed out by some members of the force present.
Acting Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell told reporters he was satisfied with the demonstration and that the cannon did not appear to be defective. “It’s just that we need to get more training but it’s alright. The force, you see, it knocking people off their feet and I know for a fact that in the real circumstances, if we use the irritants and the other things we were supposed to use, it will be more,” he said.
Present at the demonstration, Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee reiterated that the procurement of the water cannon was part of building the necessary capacity of the force with the most modern equipment.
“This is a part of a normal process to bring the police force up to date with modern crowd control or crime fighting. It is necessary for them to have it and we have no apologies to make for the procurement of this type of equipment,” Rohee said, in a clear reference to criticism generated by the purchase. It had been reported that the cannon was not operable during the post elections mass demonstrations last year and as a result the police force used rubber bullets to break up an illegal protest, drawing immense criticism.
Asked if he expected the water cannon to be used very soon, Rohee responded in the negative. “No, it wouldn’t be anytime soon but it is there to be used anytime the force sees it necessary to be used,” he said. He further stated that it is the function of the police force to determine the time and place the cannon must be used, while noting that the government cannot determine when it will be used.
Rohee also revealed that boats are being procured for the force to maximise its capabilities, while ‘E&F’ Division, responsible for policing in the interior will soon have a new mobile police station.
“We didn’t do this because people are saying so, we did this because the force told us that they needed a mobile police station in the interior to deal with crime there,” he said. He added that that the call for a mobile station in that area did not come in the previous years because the force did not deem it necessary but now that it does, it will be provided.
There is currently a high number of crimes, including violent robberies and murders, within the mining districts in recent years as high gold prices have fuelled a gold rush.
Rohee also stated that in tandem with gradually modernising the force in terms of equipment, it is also being modernised in the field of training.
