Commissioner of Police (ag) Clifton Hicken on Tuesday urged private security firms to integrate into communities and build relationships with members of the public.
“Private security is beyond standing up and guarding. You have to go outside of the fixed arrangement that you have and start working in the communities as community leaders and talk to the youths and start integrating and making a difference in society,” Hicken told officials from the private security firms during a meeting on Tuesday.
The meeting was held at the Police Officers’ Training Centre ahead of the Guyana Police Force’s 183rd anniversary.
In a press release issued on its Facebook page, the GPF said that Hicken congratulated the security firms for their support over the years.
“The Commissioner anticipates stronger cooperation between private security firms and the Guyana Police Force, as well as more collaborative initiatives,” the release said.
Among the activities that the security firms are expected to participate in for the force’s anniversary are the Force’s Pistol shooting competition, Route March and Duck Curry competition.
The Pistol shooting competition, Hicken said will help the firms to retrain security officers once needed or continue training in an effort to maintain their efficiency.
The release said that Hicken also spoke about issues such as carrying large firearms, the security code of conduct and dressing, proactive security, briefing and debriefing of their ranks, supervision and uniformity.
Hicken also promised to arrange a forum in the future where he will listen to the views of the security firms and offer his suggestions as it relates to security.
Since assuming his post as acting Top Cop, Hicken has met twice with private security firms.
In May, Hicken and Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn met with them and advised that private security firms are required to be compliant with the established rules and guidelines while warning that unprofessionalism will not be tolerated.
During the three-hour meeting, Hicken had also pointed out instances where security personnel are seen dressed in their uniform and posing with “big guns” on social media.
He had deemed the behaviour as “unacceptable and unprofessional” while noting that it needs to cease immediately.
