Phillips urges Disciplined Services to “think very carefully about future”

…says PPP/C will deliver better pay, training and matériel

Prime Ministerial Candidate for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Retired Brigadier Mark Phillips, has sent strong assurances to members of the Disciplined Services of a better life and retirement benefits, should the Party return to office come March 2.

Phillips, who would have served with distinction as Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force and later Coordinator of the Joint Services until his retirement in 2016, gave a detailed address on the plans set aside specifically for those who are serving Guyana in the law enforcement field.
According to him, his decision to join the PPP came after witnessing the audacious disregard of Guyana’s Constitution by the incumbent coalition Government. Now, he has called on members of the Joint Services to make careful deliberations, as it can highly impact the future of the country.
“As the PPP/C Prime Ministerial Candidate for the upcoming General and Regional Elections, I urge you to think very carefully about the future of Guyana.”
He added, “The blatant disregard for the rule of law by this unconscionable Government tore at the core of my professionalism as a retired public administrator. The violation of the Constitution of Guyana, which I had sworn to uphold during my military service, was the catalyst that caused me to forego my retirement and to return to serve the people of Guyana.”

Education, health care
Under the PPP’s governance, the Prime Ministerial candidate noted advanced provisions will be made for members of the Disciplined Services to access education, healthcare and better living conditions for their family.
“Under the new PPP/C Administration, you, the men and women of the Disciplined Services, will have quality healthcare, educational opportunities, better pay to adequately provide for your families. You will own your own homes and you will retire with dignity,” Phillips outlined.
To achieve this goal, he pointed towards a carefully managed oil and gas sector, in which the resources will trickle down to benefit Guyanese. In this way, law enforcement officials can access better equipment, technological systems and training to advance their crime-fighting skills while lowering statistics.
He added that undoubtedly, the Disciplined Services have an important role to play in ensuring that this goal is achieved.
“Your conditions of service is paramount. We will provide more equipment, training and better facilities for law enforcement personnel, improved investigative and forensic capabilities; expand the use of modern technology and intelligence in the fight against crime including cybercrimes; expand the intelligence gathering and processing capability of law enforcement agencies and promote intelligence-led policing,” he indicated.

Collaboration with Private Sector
There are also plans to implement initiatives for greater road safety and greater collaboration with the private sector. Most importantly, the Party has strongly agreed with the policy of zero interference in the operational management of these entities but will employ policies through the correct mediums.
“The new PPP/C Administration will provide strong, strategic policy guidance and oversight through the appropriate constitutional bodies such as the Guyana Defence Board and the Police Service Commission. We will not interfere in the day-to-day operations and management of the Guyana Defence Force, Guyana Police Force, Guyana Fire Service and the Guyana Prison Service.”
Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had alleged last year that the APNU/AFC was influencing the operation and management of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) through political interference to achieve some of their objectives.