HIC challenged with no support from citizens – DCP

The tendency of citizens to gloss over or ignore the works that are being done by the Hinterland Intelligence Committee (HIC) is now posing a challenge to the body.
During a sit down with several members to discuss their agencies’ collaboration in this initiative, Deputy Commissioner of Police Calvin Brutus said that the committee would appreciate more support from the public, rather than negative responses.

“There is a lack of appreciation and understanding of citizens of what we are here to do. In that regard, we have sometimes negative responses from citizens that will prevent and obstruct the work of any one of the agencies.”
He said instead of obstructing the committee’s work, if citizens are unaware of the HIC’s responsibilities, they [the HIC] can try their best to provide clarity.
Meanwhile, Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Kemraj Parsram said that the body is on the cusp of finding ways of informing the public on its mandates, and what the body expects of them.

“We are not just talking about the general public, we are talking about the fuel suppliers, the forestry operators, and where and where they will be likely to be in reach of, and how they must come up the compliances.”
He said it is not always about bringing the high or long arms of the law, but it is the support to bring persons into compliance.
Meanwhile, Arapaima Co-Directors Gerald Gouveia Jr of Roraima Airways said that another recognisable challenge that the committee has is that of miscommunication and a mitigating factor of that is that they are able to communicate directly with stakeholders.
“…this is especially with the communities and I think that it has a lot of potentials,” he said.

It was only on Friday last that the Commissioner of Police (ag), Clifton Hicken, resuscitated the Hinterland Intelligence Committee. The objective of resuscitating the hinterland intelligence was to enhance the security posture within the hinterland regions.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the HIC was unable to meet for over two years. As such, the Commissioner said he sees the committee as being extremely important for intelligence sharing and crime-fighting in the hinterland.
The Hinterland Intelligence Committee is a multi-stakeholder body that collaborates in sharing information with the aim of keeping our hinterland communities safe.