Four new police stations are to be built and an existing one rehabilitated in an effort to boost the capacity of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and improve the effectiveness of the local justice system.
The Department of Public Information (DPI) in a release on Tuesday stated that the works will be carried out under the Citizens’ Security and Strengthening Programme (CSSP).
According to CSSP Project Manager Dr Clement Henry, the new, modern stations will be built at Whim and Albion, in Region Six; Mahdia, in Region Eight, and Wismar, in Region Ten. The Parika Police Station on the East Bank, Essequibo, will be renovated with repairs to the top floor and the ground floor being remodelled. While these works are being undertaken, the police will shift their operations to a Police building in the same compound.
Dr Henry informed that all stations will be overhauled to help the GPF conduct its mandate.
“These stations that we are retrofitting or building brand new, they will focus on domestic violence.
[There will be a] case management room, witness protection room, an automotive case management system, integrated crime information system, [and] listening room so that the perpetrators and the victim; there is no confrontation so that victims are not intimidated,” Dr Henry explained.
According to DPI, under the CSSP, 18 police stations will be modernised countrywide. To date, 12 have been completed. These include the rehabilitation of police stations at Mibicuri, Cane Grove, Issano, Suddie, Kwakwani, Annai, Aishalton, La Grange, Mabaruma, and Port Kaituma. New stations were constructed at Aurora and Mackenzie.
The $3 billion programme, which is funded by the Inter-American Development Bank, comprises three components: Community Crime and Violence Prevention, Crime Prevention and Investigation, and Rehabilitation and Social Reintegration Services, the release added.
