THE successes recorded within the last two weeks in addressing the alleged involvement of police ranks in a spate of robberies at Numbers 48 and 49 villages in Region 6 (East Berbice/ Corentyne) have been attributed to the clear message sent by the people’s protest in the area.Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, who Tuesday fielded a question in this regard, voiced this opinion at a press conference held at Freedom House on Robb Street, Georgetown.
The question was specifically whether his recommendation for a change of guard at the Number 51 Police Station was the main reason for the favourable response to the situation; and Rohee, in response, said the protest action, which gained national attention, sent a clear message regarding the need for better law enforcement.
He added that the pressure from the people of the two villages encouraged police ranks to undertake investigations into the matter more diligently and aggressively.
The minister stressed that the police force can never function effectively if ranks are at odds with the people of the communities they serve.
The tipping point for Corentyne residents was an incident that saw four men, armed with shotguns, invading a grocery shop at No. 48 Village, Corentyne, where the occupants: Lalman Ramdeen, 66, and his wife Vimlawattie Ramdeen, 62, were robbed of cash and jewellery.
Rohee subsequently recommended to Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell that he transfers all ranks from the Number 51 Village Police Station.
The Home Affairs Minister was certain that that situation had contributed to the lack of public confidence in the police force.
Written By Vanessa Narine