As police look to enhance their capacity to tackle crime and violence, this year will see the introduction of bicycle patrols, the establishment of two new police locations in the interior and the creation of a serial crime investigations section at CID Headquarters, Eve Leary, according to Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud.
Persaud, while addressing those gathered at the opening ceremony of the Police Officers’ Annual Conference on Thursday, rolled out a list of initiatives on the force’s agenda for 2016.
He said that the strengthening of ‘F’ Division (interior locations) is high on the agenda. Given this area’s vast terrain and its bushy nature it is hard for ranks to navigate. As such patrolling is often a challenge.
According to Persaud, among the benefits for this division will be the establishment of two additional police locations, increase in land and water transportation capacity, increase in human resources establishment, deployment of additional mounted capacity and the deployment of the police floating base.
Persaud said the force will be establishing gender-based violence units at sub-divisional headquarters and anti-narcotics units in each division.
A serial crime investigation section will be established at CID Headquarters and according to what Stabroek News has learnt it will target high-profile suspects particularly repeat offenders. Work in this regard, this newspaper was told, has already started and efforts are now being made to build a database of those offenders.
According to Persaud, with support from the US Embassy, this year will see the deployment of bicycle units.
Persaud also revealed that on Monday 298 new recruits will be graduating and it is hoped that there will be another 900 later this year.
He said that the Justice Education Society Project will continue to ensure capacity building for investigators and prosecutors this year.
There will also be improvements in information technology support for the front line as well as the enhancement of the street camera system through an IDB-funded programme.
According to the Commissioner, there will be continued infrastructural work on the Integrated Crime Information System and improvements to the 911 system.
He said the force is looking to establish an Operations Room database check for ranks on patrols.
Work will also be done in traffic and the social crime prevention programme will be expanded.
