GPF, GDF conduct security assessment in Region 1

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) on Thursday last conducted a security assessment in Mabaruma, Region One (Barima-Wiani).

The initiative was aimed at improving and repairing its image among the residents in that region. This came shortly after the allegations of rape were levelled against five GDF ranks.
“The visit was and also to meet with the regional administration to assure that the Joint Services were thoroughly investigating the allegations of rape brought against military personnel in the past week,” the Police stated in a release to the media on Friday.

Both teams expressed concern about such and committed to rebuilding the image and public trust of the Joint Services across the region.
The Joint Services team was led by Colonel Skeete of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations, Clifton Hicken.
The team also met with the regional administration including Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley, Vice-Chair Annasha Peters, Regional Executive Officer (REO) Tikaram Bisesar, and other members of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC).
The members of the Joint Services also met with the Mabaruma Town Council.
During the meeting, the regional team raised the concerns of the issue of poor accommodations for the members of the Joint Services and noted that proper and adequate transportation is needed for both land and water for the effective combating of crime and other duties.
The issue of timely payment of contracted suppliers of the Joint Services was also raised.
The Joint Services team also reiterated that the members of the Joint Services who are serving in the region must and will be proactive while approaching their duties with a high level of professionalism.
A commitment was also given for the serving members to continue collaborations with the regional administration on various projects and activities that the administration may propose. These assurances were met with the regional administration team’s pledge of support to the Joint Services’ members serving in the region.
Talks of continued collaboration to ensure highly maintained security to the region were also explored.
After the meeting, the Joint Services team visited several areas including Morawhanna, Shell Beach, Imbotero and the Mabaruma Police Station where they briefed ranks on what was expected of them while serving in the region and urged them to continue to work together as a team to fulfil the mandate of securing the region and the country’s frontier.