Speaker moots early debate on DFC Interim Report
- Optimistic about improved police operations
Guyana Chronicle
December 18, 2003

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GINA - Speaker of the National Assembly, Senior Counsel Ralph Ramkarran, believes that deliberations on the Interim Report of the Defence Forces Commission on reform of the Guyana Police Force should commence in the near future.

He said he met with representatives of both sides of the House to indicate to them that he would be expecting a resolution to be presented to the National Assembly soon, for debate.

In an exclusive interview with the Government News Agency, Mr Ramkarran said he couldn't comment on whether or not the Commission has lived up to expectations. But they presented what he described as a detailed and comprehensive report covering a lot of ground and making many recommendations.

The Speaker said that one of the more telling recommendations is the call on Government to submit a five-year plan of action on reform of the Guyana Police Force. It is expected that the plan would be submitted before the work of the Commission is completed. It is the intention of the Commission to make comments on the plan, which would span the years 2004 - 2009.

Ramkarran regards as significant aspects of the report, the recommendations that control policing in the Regions be decentralized and there should be reform of the Special, Rural and Supernumerary Constabularies. This reform process, according to the DFC, would lead to the abolition of the Special Constabulary.