Better overall policing, community relations boosting crime fight – Minister Ramjattan

Jan 26, 2016 News

The recent successes by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in fighting crime have been attributed to better policing methods and closer relationships between communities and the GPF, Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, has stated.
Yesterday, the Minister explained that there is more training being done in areas such as ‘crime scene management’ and increasing levels of confidence from residents of communities that are being battered by the bandits.
Minister Ramjattan said there is heightened cooperation on the part of residents in many communities with law officials. “Police can’t solve any crime without a good relationship with citizens of the country,” he asserted.
He added, that the previous norm of non-cooperation is now “cracking up and they are now telling the police who and who are the bad ones within the community. Immediately the police are going after them, and that is why we can catch them.”
The Minister said new procedures are being used by the police, and these are also helpful in their crime fighting efforts. The Coalition Government, he emphasised, is keen on improving the working conditions of ranks and police stations, some of which are in a really ‘bad shape’ and will be rehabilitated.
At least 18 police stations will be upgraded under the Citizen Security Strengthening Programme, launched today, Minister Ramjattan stated. Local funding from the soon to be presented, National Budget will address the needs of other stations, he stated.
The issue of better salaries will also be looked at the Minister promised. “We will see how best we can do that (salaries), but that will also help and go a far way. Moves are also being made to boost the force’s capacity which needs some 1,500 ranks or more.”
The Public Security Minister said that once this is done, crime and violence will be “cracked”.