President Ali announces 2 weeks’ tax-free bonus, special housing for Police

…tells senior cops to find ways to win public trust

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Wednesday announced the payment of two weeks’ tax-free bonus for ranks of the Guyana Police Force – something which he says is part of a menu of measures that his Government is looking at to enhance and improve the welfare of the men and women in uniform.
The Head of State was at the time addressing senior officers at the Police Force’s Annual Christmas Breakfast at the Officers Mess at Eve Leary, Kingston.
“Of course you will benefit from this [bonus] before the end of the year. We have also announced many initiatives that you are benefiting from in the COVID relief aspect of things. But we’re also looking at additional support that can enhance your welfare and improve your living conditions…I assure you, your life will be better off year after year over the next five years,” President Ali posited.
According to the Head of State, the welfare of the men and women in uniform and that of their families is paramount to his Government. However, he noted that while there will be “noticeable improvements” in their lives over the coming years, this should not be driven only by incentives.
“A lot of professionals believe that we should go on a case outcome basis for incentives in the Police Force similar to a production incentive in other industries. I don’t believe this to be the only way forward, because we must never give the impression that our only driving force to resolve a case is incentives and reward; that can never be it. It is our oath and commitment to office, it is our love for country and people,” he asserted.
The President pointed out that when this is the driving force behind any performance, the reward will not only be immense in a tangible way, but, in an intangible way, it would be more satisfying.

Professionalism
To this end, the Head of State charged the Police Force’s hierarchy to ensure that professionalism is maintained within the organization, so as to enhance its public image and improve on public trust.
“For you who serve in the Police Force, professionalism is the embodiment of everything you do. And I’m not asking for anything beyond that, beyond that professionalism. That would see a remarkable improvement in the way the population views you, views your uniform, and views the Government; because, by extension, your performance and executive performance goes hand in hand,” he stated.

President Ali went on to tell the senior Police officers that they should lead the way in building a legacy of team work and public trust for the public to see.
“I ask you, the senior and commanding officers, for us to introspect and for us to strategically come up with possible new ways or modified ways in winning that trust, in winning that confidence,” he noted.
Further, the Head of State pointed out that his administration is embarking on a series of programmes that aim to enhance the welfare of not just the senior ranks, but all ranks.
On this note, President Ali announced that his Government is working on a special housing programme to enhance the lives of all Police personnel. This, he explained, “…will not only see ranks having access to house lots, but to ensure that they qualify and we help them to qualify so that they can get loans and get grants to build their homes, and own their own homes. These are important things that add to performance, it adds to job satisfaction.”
Moreover, the Head of State noted that capacity building in the Force is integral to ensuring that members are equipped to not only carry out their functions, but also benefit from all of the opportunities to come.
As such, he revealed that his Government would ensure that the men and women in uniform have access to, and benefit from, the 20,000 scholarships initiative which rolls out next year.
“We want a highly trained and educated workforce, especially here in the Police Force and in the army… You retire relatively young at 55, with tremendous experience, and as the economy grows and the economy opens up, there will be many, many more opportunities. As it is now, most of the retired officers will go on to – some in administrative jobs but most in private security companies. But the opportunities will be much greater than this [in the future] but we have to ensure that you’re equipped to benefit from those opportunities,” President Ali stressed.
More importantly, the Head of State said the institutional mechanism would be strengthened to ensure that, given the high-risk nature of their jobs, ranks would have the confidence in executing their duties, knowing that their families would be taken care of and looked after.
“This is critical to job satisfaction… And we have to fix this institutionally… You will have confidence in yourself in going out there knowing that there is a system that backs you up,” the President asserted.
Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn, Police Commissioner (ag) Nigel Hoppie and the Deputy Commissioners of Police as well as Heads of Departments, Branches and Regional Commanders attended Wednesday’s breakfast.