Latest update April 25th, 2024 12:59 AM
Feb 02, 2011 News
…says there is no breakdown of law and order
The government plans to make more use of the eavesdropping law, increase the number of crime investigators, and beef up the Police narcotics unit in efforts to stabilise law and order and stem the flow of illegal drugs.
Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee rolled out his plan to arrest crime and drug trafficking on Monday during the 2011 Budget Debate, while at the same time defending the state of the country’s security sector.
“There is no breakdown in law and order!” Rohee shouted as he sought to defend himself against opposition claims that the sector is badly managed, allowing for rampant crime and drug trafficking.
But for Rohee, the opposition was just exaggerating. If that were the case, there would not have been the estimated 1,000 new companies registered last year and the construction industry would not have been booming, he said.
Further, shops would not be opened every day, essential services would not have been functioning as normal, and nightlife would not have been as robust, he added.
“We can do all we want to do without looking over our shoulders,” Rohee declared.
‘Well, now he gone mad,” someone shouted from the opposition benches.
Rohee equated the opposition arguments to pettiness, saying that they stuck to the general line of complaining during the 2011 Budget Debate.
He said that the fact that the PPP/C Government has been re-elected in elections since 1992 means that the government has been pursuing the correct policies and the electorate agrees with them.
He charged that the opposition is disconnected from the people and was engaging in “rather clumsy politics.”
Rohee said that all the offers of help from the opposition is all but talk and nothing else. He said that Deborah Backer of the main opposition PNCR was nominated by her party to serve on the National Law and Order Commission but she only attended one out of 11 meetings the Commission held in 2010.
The government is estimated to spend $15.9 billion on the security sector this year. Last year, Rohee said, all of the $14.2 billion was spent and he was convinced that there was value for money.
He pointed to a sample of things, including the number of police stations that have been computerised, allowing for greater networking.
However, Rohee admitted there is room for improvement. Regarding community policing, he said there are 272 such groups, with 4,695 members. But he noted that there is need to involve young people and women.
One of the biggest challenges facing the criminal justice system is the backlog of cases, and he said that he was sure that problems in the magistracy would be addressed in time.
Rohee rejected the assertion that the security forces are being micro-managed by the political directorate.
He said that this assertion could only be based on hearsay and he deemed it an attempt to denigrate the security forces and sow disaffection.
Outlining his plan for the maintenance of public order, Rohee said more resources would be provided to the intelligence community and that the number of investigators under the criminal investigation department would be increased.
He asserted that the plan also includes working hard to reduce the number of illegal firearms in the society, adding that the integrated crime information system would become operational and would be used to the maximum.
Rohee talked, too, about strengthening border control by enhancing the security presence at all legal and illegal border crossings. In the capital, Georgetown, Rohee said the plan is to introduce Closed Circuit TV to ensure maximum security coverage of the city and its environs.
To manage security in the interior, Rohee listed intensifying land and water patrols in the Police divisions covering the town of Linden and interior locations.
The security forces would also seek to establish better relations with Amerindian communities, including meeting with the respective leaders.
He pointed to what he said was an Information and Technology “backbone” that the security forces would make greater use of. Rohee announced that a marine outpost would be established at the mouth of the Pomeroon River.
Emphasis would also be laid on covert operations across criminal, traffic and general law enforcement, Rohee said, also pointing to a plan to significantly enhance monitoring of airstrips across Guyana.
Part of the security plan involves maintaining regular roadblocks and having these on a spontaneous basis. Rohee said there would be intensified monitoring of the mining areas as well as stepped-up searches at checkpoints in the country.
The Minister also unveiled plans to intensify collaboration with joint services, lending greater support to the Guyana Prison Service in fulfilling its correctional responsibilities.
There is also the plan to intensify training of officers and increase support to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
He said that the plan to address public order includes using more regularly the Plea Bargaining Act, the Eavesdropping Act, and laws related to paper committals and video links.
Further, the intention is to intensify collaboration with regional and international bodies.
Among other plans listed by Rohee are continued support to Community Policing Groups, and enhancing the capability of the Guyana Fire Service to respond to fire emergencies.
Regarding fighting drugs, Rohee said that more human and technological resources would be provided to the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) and the Narcotics Branch of the Guyana Police Force.
He disclosed that the presence of CANU and the Narcotics Ranch of Guyana Police Force would be enhanced at all legal and illegal entry and exit points.
In addition, he noted, the goal is to dismantle suspected networks at air and sea ports and identify transshipment points and routes, and use appropriate equipment to intercept suspects.
Rohee said that among other initiatives is enhancing maritime intelligence by establishing relevant databases and profiling of vessels, and using advanced technology to conduct effective raids and searches.
The minister emphasized that there would be continued networking with foreign counterparts.
He also indicated that a greater effort would be made to increase information gathering and intelligence-driven operations.
He said that security arrangements would be upgraded at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and the Ogle Airport to stem the flow of drugs.
Rohee also noted that efforts would be made to continue ensuring accountability and transparency in the activities of law enforcement through regular polygraphing.
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