Religious leaders urge police to improve ties with communities
Stabroek News
June 13, 2002
Representatives of religious organisations and groups in Guyana yesterday advised the top brass of the Guyana Police Force to begin an aggressive outreach programme at the village, regional and national levels in order to solicit and enlist the help of critical stakeholders.
According to a police press release, the religious leaders offered a number of pointers regarding police operations in the face of the current crime wave during a meeting at Police Head-quarters with Commissioner of Police (ag), Floyd McDonald, Deputy Commissioner Winston Felix, other senior officers and the public relations consultant, Royston King.
The primary purpose of the meeting, according to the release, was to inform the representatives on the current crime situation and to enlist their assistance and support for the work of the force. However, the release did not identify the representatives nor the religious groups and organisations that participated in the meeting.
The police were further advised that other areas of their operation should be highlighted and successes be recognised.
A comprehensive education programme, the representatives recommended, should be articulated for implementation in schools and other institutions of learning to help "youths and others to understand their role in the effort to advance Guyana to a place of pride and glory."
In addition, the release stated, the representatives accepted a motion which resolved "that all religious organisations support the work of the Guyana Police Force in its effort to ensure the integrity of society."
And the representatives also agreed to allow ranks to visit their places of worship to talk with their members on how they can help the force, the release added.
According to the release, the representatives supported the call by the commissioner for the promotion of good values from which would emerge the kind of relationships necessary to improve socio-economic, cultural and other conditions.
McDonald requested that the religious leaders talk to their followers about upholding good spiritual and moral values as a clear prerequisite for a good and prosperous society, the release said.