The National Community Policing Group (CPG) under the Home Affairs Ministry launched an all-female Community Policing Group at Better Hope North, East Coast Demerara (ECD), on Monday.
The members of the new CPG and other officials
The newly launched group is the 14th all-female Community Policing Group and consists of 39 members. The other all-female CPGs are spread across the ten administrative regions with a total of 250 members.
Permanent Secretary Mae Toussaint Jr Thomas, who officiated the new group, charged the ladies to at all times be professional, build trust in the community, enhance the relationship between the Police and the community and encourage community partnerships while being agents for change, conflict resolution and problem-solving. She noted this will significantly improve the flow of information between the Police and the public, which will help in preventing and solving crimes, thus creating a safer and more secure community.
Head of the CPG, Reshi Das also encouraged them to stay true to the agency’s mandate to always be “fair, friendly, and firm” in carrying out their duties. He stated, “this duty requires you to deal with persons from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Often, it may be someone you know or that you are close to, be impartial and stay committed to the mandate and your new areas of responsibility”.
Further, since the relaunch of the CPG on October 26, 2020, by Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn, there are now 299 active Community Policing Groups consisting of 5172 members countrywide.
These would include new groups as well as the resuscitation of dormant ones. Among the groups, 67 are located in Hinterland areas, such as Arakaka, Oronoque, Fauls Top, 4 Miles (Port Kaituma), Annai, Toka, Karasabai, Shulinab, Sand-Creek, Shea (Rupununi), Rincon, Karaburi, Mora, Waramuri (Moruca) Yarakita, Tobago, Imbotero, Bunbury, Whitewater (Mabaruma). Together they have a membership of 1115.
The CPG is also responsible for establishing 35 youth groups countrywide with a membership of 1001.
