First ever women community policing convention held

- aims to involve women in communal law and order process

By Erika Haag-Tularam

The security of communities is important to this administration and to further boost law enforcement; the Ministry of Home Affairs hosted its first ever Community Policing Women’s Convention today.  

            The initiative which was held at the Police Officers’ Mess Annex, Eve Leary, under the theme “Working towards safer communities” is a collaborative effort with the Guyana Police Force and the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security.

            Representatives from A, B, C, D, E, F and G community policing Groups were present, where issues such as trafficking in persons (TIP), domestic violence, sexual harassment, noise nuisance, roles of rural constables, arrest and patrols, road safety and the role of women in community policing, were discussed.

            Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee while delivering the feature address emphasised the need for closer collaboration at a community level noting that women can play an integral role in supporting their male counterpart in maintaining order within their respective communities.

He noted that the event which is the first national conference ever held for women in community policing; is an indication of Government’s commitment to empowering women in self sufficiency and national development in the process.

             Minister Rohee while expressing his optimism that the session would be beneficial to the women said that it would clearly aid them in understanding their role in which should not be taken for granted.

            This, he said, is the reason several organisations in society are playing a significant role to further enhance their lives.

            While noting that law enforcement cannot be solely executed by the male gender alone, the Minister responsible for security also urged the attendees to lend full support to the police and other law enforcement agencies in the struggle for safety and security.

            Speaking on the issue of domestic violence, Minister Rohee said it is reality since more women in society are being taken advantage of on a daily basis and, as such, it is time for the scourge to come to an end.

            Government has recognised that domestic violence is the most pervasive form of interpersonal violence in Guyana and through its National Policy on Domestic Violence; hopes to eliminate the trait from society.

            In 1996 the Domestic Violence Legislation was enacted. The National policy on Domestic Violence was launched in 2008.

            Commissioner of Police, Henry Greene, said that it is important for women to be sensitised on the role they can play at the community level; since the constitution requires that everyone has a responsibility to ensuring a community safe.

            While reading the Police Act, Commissioner Greene said that it stipulates that any members of society can be called upon to render assistance to the cause of law and order, failing which that person can be prosecuted.

            Speaking on the importance of community policing, Greene said that the Police Force has seen a decline in CPGs since the crime spree of 2002 which made a significant impact on their functions.

            “The fact that we were dealing with people with heavy machinery (weapons) they became afraid, but after the death of ‘Fineman’ persons are now willingly offering their services to the Guyana Police Force,” he said.

            While calling for consistency in community policing groups, the Top Cop told them that they can also be integrally involved in youth work, and financial and traffic lecturers at the community level.