Crime reduction strategies cannot succeed or be sustained unless they are linked with actions designed to stem the flow of drugs, protect Guyana’s borders and control immigration including criminal deportees and small arms proliferation, the British-funded Security Sector Reform Action Plan (SSRAP) notes.
In an overview of the crime and security situation in this country, the recently launched three million Pounds Sterling action plan said a holistic approach based on comprehensive threat assessment, such as a national security strategy, is required to enhance co-ordination and rationalise resource utilisation.
This assumes, according to the plan, that strategic planning and implementation capabilities would be strengthened both within the government and the security institutions.
The SSRAP seeks to build the operational capacity of the police force in terms of a uniformed response to serious crime, as well as augment forensics, crime intelligence and traffic policing capabilities. The plan, which will be implemented over a five-year period, also proposes to strengthen policy-making across the security sector to make it more transparent, effective and better coordinated. Bringing financial management in the security sector under the umbrella of public sector financial management reform; creating substantial parliamentary and other oversight of the security sector and building greater public participation and inclusiveness on security sector issues are the other components of the plan.
One of the first steps in its implementation was for the government to table in Parliament, a summary of the action plan and motions to set up special select committees on the DFC report and to review the implementation of the action plan. On November 1 last year the motion was tabled in Parliament and passed, paving the way for the setting up of the action plan committee. The DFC committee is also in place – both being chaired by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds.
However, PNCR-1G MP Deborah Backer said that not much had been done since these committees were formed.
According to the plan, there is need to address the root causes of criminal and political violence in Guyana, with special focus being placed on poverty and unemployment, racial and political polarisation and deterioration in the moral and social fabric of Guyanese. It was pointed out that while there have been many positive developments in terms of security strategies being unveiled by the administration the SSRAP faces many distinct as well as overlapping risks.
These include a selective approach to reform and reluctance to pursue reforms beyond policing. Pursuing operational without concomitant governance or justice reforms, the plan noted, would be dangerous as it could further incapacitate the police without rule of law and appropriate oversight.
At the time of the drawing up of the plan, it was observed that an overly controlled process and lack of inclusiveness, bolstered by the government’s election victory in 2006 was also dangerous. Lack of political will to break the perceived linkages between crime and politics was also observed.
The plan pointed out that there is a belief by both the government and the opposition, that certain political interests are manipulating the violence for their own purposes.
According to the plan, in spite of encouraging developments, because of the risks mentioned above, Guyana remains dangerously close to tipping point. “The consequences of failure – of the various stakeholders to seize the moment, to engage and initiate decisive action may well be the transformation of Guyana into a failed state and or haven for international criminality with all regional and international implications that this may entail.”
The plan said this is a development that should be avoided at all costs, noting that to achieve this would require some give-and-take and flexibility on all sides, in the interest of the long-suffering people of Guyana.
In a recent press statement, the British High Commission in Guyana said that implementation of the plan was underway and before the end of this month the police force will be boosted by equipment and the arrival of British security experts in key areas.
It said one of the early steps was to set up a new and expanded criminal intelligence unit as part of the Police Force. “Under the SSR Action Plan, the new unit will be fully furnished and equipped with a communication system and a computerised data collection and management system,” the high commission said.
According to the statement, a United Kingdom police advisor will be in Guyana by the end of February to work with the Police Force to further develop crime intelligence and provide training.
Protective gear for use by ranks of the Anti-Crime Unit while in the line of fire is also being purchased, together with radio equipment to help them communicate more effectively when on crime scenes, the statement said. GPS units, high-resolution binoculars and cameras will also be provided, while tactical training for this unit is also expected to be delivered shortly.
Also to be delivered this month is enhanced communications equipment for the Force Control Room at Eve Leary and the Operations Room at the Brickdam Police Station that handles 911 calls.
A trainer from the UK will arrive by the end of the month to deliver training in the use of the new equipment and to advise on improving service delivery to the public. This plan and others have come under increasing scrutiny in the aftermath of the Lusignan massacre.
The government has been accused of dithering on several key reports and not proceeding with substantial security reforms.
