Junior Police ranks need to support CPGs – Ramnarine

Assistant Police Commissioner David Ramnarine is calling on the junior ranks of the Guyana Police Force to increase their support to members of the Community Policing Groups (CPGs).
Ramnarine made this call on Sunday after CPG Chairman Dr Mark Constantin had delivered his report at the Biennial General Meeting of that entity, held at the Police Sports Club at Eve Leary. Speaking on behalf of Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud, Ramnarine said the problem between the GPF and the CPGs seems to be an “Achilles heel.” He noted that the issue of trust and respect must clearly be improved between the GPF and the CPGs if they are to move forward and fulfil their respective duties.

CPG Chairman Dr Mark Constantin is of the opinion that the lack of support from junior police ranks comes from the idea that the CPGs are there to “police the police.” However, he pointed out that such a perception does not reflect well on the CPGs.
According to the Government Information Agency (GINA), Ramnarine declared, “It is distressing, and it is very sad, to know that despite the good work, despite the rich history, despite all the improvements, despite more classes, despite more educational opportunities, despite more training opportunities, the problem still exists.”
Ramnarine wants all police officers to understand that all the research so far done in this regard has shown that the police cannot do (policing) alone; thus he is calling on junior ranks to cease viewing the CPGs as nobodies.
“It is clear that trust and respect need to be improved between you and the police; the police to you; liaison to you; liaison to the police; and, along with your leadership, to the (Public Security) Ministry. Trust and respect must be present if the GPF and GPGs are to move forward,” Ramnaraine said.
The Assistant Commissioner urges the CPGs to understand that: “The major issue in our country right now is the safety of (every) community; and if we cannot put aside the differences (we harbour) and work with each other, then we might as well stay out and let those who want to work together continue to work together.”
Dr Constantin also made a call for CPGs and members of the GPF to work together. He said that while the CPGs receive support from the GPF, it comes from the senior officers only. “We, as community policing members, are here to work with you, to support you and to help you so that, together, we can achieve the desired success we all, I am sure, desire to have,” Dr Constantin explained.
Additionally, the Chairman called on members of the CPGs to act more professionally. Professionalism, he said, is something the organisation needs from all its stakeholders. “After forty-one years of experience, the time for childlessness needs to be put away, since it does not help us to get better in any way,” he explained.
Dr Constantin also made some recommendations in his report to improve the work of the CPGs countrywide. These include: the establishment of a fixed place for the CPGs to conduct their business; ongoing training for CPG members; and more cooperation from the GPF, among others.