Minister of Home Affairs, Oneidge Walrond, has urged the top brass of the Guyana Police Force to act in the best interest of the public to regain the full confidence of the people.

During an interview on 94.1FM, the Minister explained that she recently met with the Commissioner of Police along with his Commanders to chart a new course for the Police Force and to listen to their challenges.

She said it is an accepted fact that trust in the Guyana Police Force is not at an acceptable level, but she said she urged the Force’s Senior Officers to build a more responsive Force that responds to the challenges in a fair manner.

“This message was delivered loud and clear to the Commissioner and his Commander that; you can’t claim to have authority if people don’t trust you, cause otherwise it is a police station where you just have to command. So, this thing is about partnership and I told them they are undermining their authority if people can’t trust you,’ the Minister stated.

The Minister said the main aim now is to build trust between citizens and the Force. She noted that while that might be a tough task, it is one she is committed to overseeing. Walrond, who is also a former Magistrate, said once there is a genuine effort within the Force and a change in culture, there will be a further decrease in crime.

“Being able to address your policing and enforcements efforts in that targeted manner is more efficiency and that builds the trust. For instance, this unfortunate murder with this young woman in West Ruimveldt, those two young men are already in custody. Immediately, they were under our safe city which police continue to use in crime fighting. So, its no longer police suspecting or not-suspecting, they are cameras where people are being shown and picked up, so that human bias is being removed,” the Minister stated.

The Minister said she has also urged the Police to ensure that enforcement is fair and across the board.

“There has to be an across-the-board implementation of enforcement because it can’t be different segment of society have unequal treatment when it comes to the same issue, there should be across the board. So, one of the things they are doing now, is writing reports, there is a strategic plan, SOPs and things that speak to how do you treat when you have body camera and someone violating the traffic, etc,” the Minister said.

The Home Affairs Minister said that the leadership of the Force has to take on a greater responsibility and ensure that they instill confidence in their ranks.

Related posts:

Public has right to video record and photograph Police executing duties -Home Affairs Minister Home Affairs Minister urges Police to “stop disrespecting people” Home Affairs Minister hammers Police Force over Corruption, Questionable Accounting Practices and Senior Officers who can be bought Home Affairs Minister urges Police Officers to focus on integrity