-political directives cited
A leadership training conference on the East Coast for Community Policing Groups (CPGs) heard a call yesterday for financial incentives to keep members interested but this was shot down by the divisional commander who noted that it was a voluntary process.
Some of the participants
The annual event which is organized by the `C’ Division Community Policing Executive saw the attendance of about 70 members from the CPGs on the East Coast and West Demerara although invitations were sent out to all the Divisions. The conference was held at the Chateau Margot Primary School.
After listening to presentations from Major General (ret’d) Norman McLean and Jean Carroll, a training officer attached to the Public Service Ministry (PSM), several persons called for CPG members to be given remuneration as they sometimes have to spend their own money in the execution of their duties.
James Joseph, a member of the Le Ressouvenir CPG said that sometimes they are forced to use money from their own pockets when they have to travel. He said that this is done despite the fact that they do not receive any incentives to cover such expenses.
“We got to be realistic. Some incentive got to be worked out” he said, adding that persons only join the CPGs when the crime rate is up. He used the Lusignan massacre of January, 2008 as an example saying that during this period people came out in their numbers when they heard that things were being provided. Commander of `C’ Division Balram Persaud in response said that he agreed but it was a voluntary organization.
“No one forced you to join or pull money out of your pocket” he added.
The gathering was told to keep in mind that it is all about security for their families and communities.
He later said that because the Home Affairs Ministry gives a few items to the groups, persons believe that this would continue forever and when they realize that that is not the case they either refuse to patrol or disassociate themselves from the organization.
Imitiaz Zaferali, the executive’s public relations officer called for some sort of award to be given out to CPG members in recognition of their efforts to provide security for their communities.
Abdool Wahid Wickham, a member of the Golden Grove/Nabaclis CPG told the members of the head table that remuneration was a major problem and questioned how there could be a Police Force with high moral standards when remuneration is so small. He pointed out that unless there are high moral stands the efforts of the CPGs will be in vain.
Wickham said that the remuneration paid is so small for members of the force that it has led to corruption, which will in turn affect the efforts of the policing groups.
He stated that there is a shackle on the CPG coming from “political directives” and this is hampering its operations.He said that this is the truth, something people do not like to hear. Wickham said that as long as this remains, the success that is being sought to bring this country to a state of law and order will never be reached.
McLean said that people join the Force for a job and not really the money which will always be an issue.
During his presentation, McLean who has done studies on community policing, told the gathering that “the police are the public and the public is the police”.
He told the CPG members that their vision should be to help the police prevent and detect crime rather than fighting it. The gathering was also given some tips by Carroll on managing their time and setting goals.
Among the objectives of the conference were to share ideas and develop common approaches for the work of community policing and to develop clarity on the requirements, methodology and vision of crime fighting.
Another PPP flawed policy, CPG’s hehehhehehe
go jagdoe!
Samaroooo how is the crime situation in the BX? you walk late at night on the Grand Concourse?
…. wait gtbeat ,,, u juss tear up samah’roo bag ,, is BX dis banna livin ,, i taaat de man livin in de hamptons ,, or at least in KEW GARDENS !!!!!! damn bai ,, Bx is 1 step up fum albaistung ! u an de mayah fuh jagetung can shake haan !
While the service is voluntary some form of incentive can be provided to attract more volunteers. For instance by virtue of your community service a loan from the bank should be had at a reduced interest rate. In times of need, priority assistance should be given to the community volunteers. Scholarships for study for the children of volunteers etc….
Mek wan donashun na bai.
This is not about incentive, but ‘bounty money’. How can the government pay millions for criminals caught dead or alive but CPG members risk their lives for nothing? If government puts up a bounty for CPGs who can help find and turn in corrupt government officials, money launderers and drug dealers, watch how many will get hauled in by the police! In Guyana, money talks and walks! Ask Roger Khan and other drug dealers turn money laundering businessmen and women!
these people have a right to call their shots after all this is a PPP POLICE FORCE INSIDE THE FORCE
I never see it that way, you right,I agree with you.
They even have them wearing back uniform Kingshark.
According to McLean,”the police are the public and the public is the police”.Why are the Police,and the Public involved in such a high rate of Criminal Activities?.There are more questions than answers.Community Policing is voluntary.If the Force cannot discharge its responsibilities to the Citizens of Guyana,service and protection,becomes a farce.
Community policing is not going to reduce crime, it will only shift the crime over to the next village that does not have a community policing group.
What is needed is a silent alarm system, whereby the burgler is not sure if his activities is already being observed. He does not know which house has one or not.
For this we would need cellular technology. Install a silent cellular alarm system which will alert the police station who will then alert the community group. Since the phone company will be making money from providing this service then they can pick up the cost of financial incentives and everyone wins, well except the burgler
Here is a link to one such system.
http://www.cellularalarms.com/
Joe.
they do need some form of monetary incentive,only the poor are in the cpg,let the rich people donate since they are sleeping and the poor people are protecting their properties and lives.i remember in leguan where i was a member of the cpg no rich man nor their relatives was in the cpg,they also laugh at us and call us ppp/civic
while the rich never do any selfhelp nor donate for their community
they don’t even clean their trenches and want the gov’t and simap-poor people to weed their trench-while the rich and the simap representative were thieving the poor man flour -incentive etc
the cpg has to do the job of the police so they should be given something – why should they risk thier life and time away from family and lost sleep ?
balram persaud is quite rude to tell them nobody forced them to join or pay out of pocket he should encourage them not degrade them
what good is a silent alarm if when you call the police you have to fetch them with your own vehicle or they come long after the criminals are gone
some people join the police force just to shake down citizens for corrupt money to supplement their low income
if criminals want to come in with ak47 no amount of cpg will frighten them – fire 1 ak round and see how fast cpg people scatter
….. yo ,, c’munnu ,,, “why should they risktheir life……?
leh dem doan deh pon watch nah ,,, is den dem raley riskin dem life ,, de PPP knoe how fuh gat dem ,, which is why de police deh fuh duh wah dem feel like wen dem feel like ,, am ,, there is no vehicle to come now ,,, we en gat no drivah now !! or de 911 ringin out ,,,,, while lead scatterin thru de nite all ova de place ! suh wah dem dis coming an talking bowt en gon happen ,,,,, de reason some people duz tell santa crismas ‘e lie !……