Intelligence, technology to drive fight against new, evolving crimes – Pres Ali

…as $12M Cove and John Training Centre handed over

As the world progresses and Guyana prospers as an oil-producing nation, greater intelligence and newer methods from law enforcement will be needed to stop sophisticated crimes.

President Irfaan Ali shared this on Thursday at the handing-over ceremony of a computer training centre at the Cove and John Police Headquarters, East Coast Demerara (ECD). The centre was built and equipped through a collaborative effort between the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Jay and Sylvia Sobhraj Foundation, Zara Group of Companies.
“The theory we’re working by and working with is that results matter. At the end of the day, it is the results of our collective efforts that matter. There’s the result not in going after criminals but stopping crime through great intelligence – not only intelligence gathering but through greater intelligence with the use of well-trained professional manpower and also, technology. This, by no means, suggest that we’re naïve,” he outlined.

According to the Head of State, the country will become a target for white-collar crimes and other related activities, which would require collaboration across borders. Already, he said, partnerships with counterparts have paid off, resulting in major drug busts.
“We understand very clearly that the nature of crime is changing globally. We understand very clearly that the nature of crime would change locally. A more prosperous country becomes a target for more sophisticated criminals. Our approach to crime fighting has to be one beyond the boundaries of Guyana. We’ve already seen where our collaboration has led to some of the largest drug busts regionally over the last few months. This did not come about by accident. This came about by strategic planning,” Dr Ali noted.
Moving forward, the President said that there needed to be a robust learning environment, where ranks were able to drop traditional methods and adopt newer ones that will speak to the demand. The population’s confidence will also be boosted if the Force can perform efficiently. He further stated that Government was embarking on a “massive” programme to create this environment and build a better product.

“The Police Force has to lead by creating a learning environment. You have to unlearn methods sometimes and learn new methods. That is why easy access to technology and the training component that comes with it is such an important part of unlearning and relearning to meet the future requirement demand. Part of leading is to create an efficient environment, one in which people have belief in the systems and one in which the system itself is efficient,” the Head of State declared.
“Human resources are driven not only by salaries but driven by opportunities. Opportunity to own their own home; opportunity to be trained; opportunity to get an additional skill; opportunity to get onto the scholarship programme to pursue studies. These are all things that help to drive the human resources.”
Through collaboration with the GPF, the Foundation has trained some 13,626 persons at its four computer training centres around the country; with 2834 being members of the Force and 10,792 civilians. This new centre provides resources to aid in the continuation of such initiatives.
Through partnership with the Foundation since 2012, the GPF has also benefited from software and other resources to better manage reports and its response.
Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn highlighted that they were working towards having improved databases and technology throughout Police Stations in order to have information at their fingertips.
“While we are working on bringing in five Police Stations just now, we have been paying some attention to issues in relation to developing software … An important thing going forward is that we have proper care and proper use of the software, better engagement with our people. We have to be more empathetic with the people that we deal with, both victims and perpetrators so that we can have a more holistic response,” the Minister shared.
Jay Sobhraj of the Foundation emphasised that the centre was an investment in the people of Guyana and they would continue to help provide other resources. It was pointed out that crime fighting must be done with the proper tools.