PSC discusses security concerns with Top Cop

Security concerns faced by the business community were on Tuesday discussed with the Police Commissioner, as officials from the Private Sector Commission toured the Guyana Police Force’s Command Centre – the main monitoring unit for crime and other activities.

Top Cop Nigel Hoppie with members of the Private Sector during a tour of Guyana Police Force’s Command Centre

The PSC delegation was led by Chairman, Paul Cheong and accompanied by Vice Chairman of the PSC, Krishnand Jaichand; Chairman of the Governance and Security Sub-Committee, Retired General Norman McLean; President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, Timothy Tucker; National Security Advisor, Captain Gerry Gouveia and other members of the Private Sector.
Conducting the tour of the facility was Commissioner of Police, Nigel Hoppie; Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum and other Police officials.
Critical interventions discussed were robberies around Georgetown, traffic violations, Police training, protection of businesses, crime-fighting capabilities and areas for collaboration.
During the tour of the facility, discussions focused primarily on the role of the Command Centre in combatting crime around the country. The Commissioner of Police in brief noted that the Command Centre has strengthened not only the forensic and criminal investigative techniques of the Force but its ability in crime detection. This is through the use and application of several cameras around the country. Commissioner Hoppie indicated that ranks are undergoing continuous training to ensure the effective functioning of the Centre.
The Centre currently boasts several television monitors that are used to trace incidents and to link these with ambulances, fire service, and Police service responses. The Commission endorsed and commended the efforts of the Guyana Police Force and reaffirmed its commitment to collaborate to advance peace and security in Guyana.
A few months ago, President Dr Irfaan Ali had revealed that the Government is in the process of crafting a robust anti-crime strategy that will safeguard the interests of both citizens and the Private Sector.
“We recognise the harmful effects of crime on businesses and we are formulating a robust anti-crime strategy to better protect businesses, communities, and citizens,” the President had outlined.
At the end of 2020, the new Administration was working with the Private Sector in developing an anti-crime strategy.
“We recognise the need to improve public security. We’ve begun to strengthen the capacity of the Guyana Police Force to combat crime and improving the capacity of the Guyana Revenue Authority to arrest contraband smuggling…My Government will work with the Private Sector in developing an anti-crime plan aimed to better protect the business community and citizens,” President Ali was quoted as saying to the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) during its Annual General Meeting.
The Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry was also working on an electronic transaction bill that would provide the facilitation of secure electronic communications and transactions.