“Treat everyone fairly and equally”, Public Security Min Benn tells Joint Services

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn on Saturday called on ranks within the Joint Services, specifically those from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to exercise consideration and caution when dealing with the public in an environment that is currently plagued by the COVID-19 pandemic.

He made his comments on Saturday at the Police Training Centre in Georgetown, where he met with the heads and other senior officers of the Police Force, Guyana Prisons Service (GPS) and the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) which fall under his Ministry.
Among those present were: Top Cop (ag), Nigel Hoppie; Prison Director Gladwin Samuels, and Deputy Fire Chief Kalamdeen Edoo as well as Deputy Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot; Deputy Commissioner of Police, Paul Williams; along with Divisional/Branch Commanders and other senior and junior officers drawn from the three organisations.
The main purpose of the Minister’s brief was to outline his policies for these security agencies with emphasis on the Police Force.
Minister Benn outlined his policies, and elaborated on some key points, including the execution of duties in the times of the pandemic.

Referencing Police posture and conduct, he pointed out the need for ranks to exercise consideration in dealing with the public at all times, while simultaneously protecting themselves and citizens from the coronavirus disease.
The Minister underscored the need for Police to exercise impartiality and sensitivity in the execution of their duties, noting that Guyana is made up of people from diverse religious, social and racial backgrounds.
As such, he charged that all, without exception, be treated fairly and equally – embracing Guyana’s motto of “One People, One Nation, One Destiny”.
Minister Benn also spoke of the need for the Police to continuously re-assess their performance and set targets to consistently improve their output and effectiveness.
He went on to announce the implementation of a 10-point improvement strategy for all Divisions, Branches and Departments within the three services. He urged that the strategy be cascaded to every station and every section within these organisations.
The Home Affairs Minister further outlined the need for consistent individual improvement through introspection and appropriate corrective action. To this end, he urged that a mechanism be implemented to allow feedback from members of the public as to their perception of the quality of service offered, especially by the Guyana Police Force.
In fact, he charged the Police Force to improve and build on the public’s confidence. He also emphasised that the agencies need to retrain and re-engage errant ranks for behavioural correction as a first step.
Meanwhile, Minister Benn further mentioned the need to assess and improve on the treatment of prisoners in custody.
Additionally, he remarked on the need for ranks to be properly trained and equipped with the appropriate tools when responding to scenes of accidents and incidents.
The Home Affairs Minister reassured the officers in attendance of the PPP/C Government’s commitment to equipping the organisations under his Ministry with the right tools and targeted training to guarantee improved service delivery to all Guyana.
On the other hand, Top Cop Hoppie, in response to the Minister’s charge and policies outlined, expressed appreciation to Minister Benn for his guidance and sought to assure him that his brief has been noted.
In fact, the acting Police Commissioner went on to indicate that as early as the new week, he and his team will craft an action plan for operationalisation of the policies set out.
According to Hoppie, these policies will certainly boost the Force’s five-point strategy of Operations Improvement, People and Infrastructural Development, Improved and Increased Partnership and Performance Evaluation as set out in the strategic plan of 2019-2021.