Dear Editor,
A few days before Attorney General Basil Williams told newsmen in Georgetown that the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) is to be completely separated from the Guyana Police Force so that it can perform its core functions, lawyers and former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) senior officers in the diaspora were discussing the possibility for the role of the GDF be modified so that the army can assist in investigations and other crime-solving activities.
As crime escalates there is need for more law enforcement officers to combat the lawbreakers which increase in numbers every day. It seems as if the Guyana Police Force needs to be strengthened drastically, which might cost a fortune, but the Force can also be assisted by military personnel which can save millions of dollars.
It is understood that with its current strength and equipment the GDF alone cannot be effectively involved in any military confrontation, and as a consequence their role should be expanded to assist the police in maintaining law and order, but since they have no power of arrest a suitable adjustment via legislation or executive order should be made to facilitate this. At present an army officer needs the police to be present when he/she is called upon to solve a crime. If the administration sees the need to involve army officers, the laws will have to be amended to facilitate this.
A former senior GDF officer said that the GDF is now 3,500 strong, but there is only one battalion which deals with training, patrolling, ceremonial duties, etc. Despite its shortcoming, Chief of Staff Mark Phillips said in September last year that the “GDF stands ready for aggression if necessary” following threats from neighbouring Venezuela.
I recall during the Burnham administration the GDF was almost self sufficient because the officers were engaged in extensive farming and had chicken, pig farms, fish farms, etc. They even sold some of the products and there was an effort in collaboration with members of the National Service to grow cotton at Kimbia, Berbice River. I understand very little farming is now being done.
Yours faithfully,
Oscar Ramjeet