More efforts required to tackle crime in Guyana – US Ambassador

…as Police receive US$20,000 in equipment

The United States Government, through its embassy in Georgetown, has donated several pieces of electronic equipment to further advance the work of the Guyana Police Force’s Strategic Planning Unit as the Force embarks on reforming the sector.

The US$20,000 donation was made on Monday in the Police Commissioner’s Conference Room at Eve Leary, Georgetown.
Acting Police Commissioner, David Ramnarine, received the donation on behalf of the Force, and said it speaks to the intense collaboration between the United States and British embassies in Guyana. He said that, just recently, the Guyana Police Force, with the help of UK Security Consultant Russel Combe, embarked on the Security Sector Reform Project to improve various sectors within the Guyana Police Force.
Ramnarine added that the Strategic Planning Unit is particularly responsible for that reform, and the equipment donated is much needed to enhance the image and functionality of the GPF.
US Ambassador Perry Holloway said the donation is just another form of assistance given to Government through the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative with intention to further increase the capacity of the Guyanese justice sector.
He noted that the computer equipment would allow the Strategic Planning Unit to do more of what is required to do, since strategic planning requires the help of modern technology.
“Since the establishment of Caribbean Basin Security Initiative in 2010, the United States Government has heavily supported efforts to combat the drug trade and other transnational crimes threatening the region through capacity building, equipment donation, and technical assistance. The specific programme that US Embassy Georgetown administers seeks to strengthen our law enforcement capabilities…,” Holloway noted.
Holloway added that despite recording an 11 per cent decrease in serious crimes, much more effort is required to tackle the issue of crime in Guyana, since one crime is one crime too many. He also noted that sound strategies by policy makers are what aids in enhancing the effectiveness of the ranks who receive training.
“Through donations like this and others in the future, the US Embassy commits itself to assisting the Government of Guyana’s law enforcement institutions to promote the development of accountable and professional criminal justice system,” he added.
Also present for the handing over was British High Commissioner Greg Quinn, who said the two embassies have been working closely with the Police Force.
The donation includes printers, scanners, a smart television, and other pieces of electronic equipment.