week ending April 6, 2014
news
23
| guyanatimeSinternational.com
After 36 years of service, Police working tirelessly to dent ganja trade in Berbice Brumell says goodbye - urges ranks to be shining example of what the Force should be
Outgoing Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell congratulating his successor, current Deputy Commissioner of Police and Crime Chief, Seelall Persaud
W
ith emotions running high and a sense of pride, outgoing Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell, DSM, walked onto the lawns of the Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary, to a cheering crowd gathered to witness his farewell parade last Friday. Brumell, who acted in the capacity of Commissioner from December 19, 2011 until he was appointed to the substantive post on October 7, 2013, has served the Guyana Police Force for some 36 years in various departments and divisions. During his farewell parade, he inspected the march party and took the salute of the various sections with the force such as: the band, horse riders, canine trainers, motorists and drivers. In addressing the gathering, Brumell noted that his long and rewarding years of service to the noble organisation has ended with him spending two and a half years in the highest office of the force. He said that his journey was not an easy one since he gained and lost many friends. The outgoing Police Commissioner opined that over the years, the Police Force has changed drastically and has lost its pride and honour. “The honour of distinction of being an officer, male and female, has fallen. No longer is an officer respected in society; no longer is he trusted; no longer is our uniform worn with pride. I envision a Guyana Police Force where we would
return to our founding principles to ‘Protect and Serve’ and to regain the trust of you (members of the public),” he stated. Nevertheless, he noted that over the years, efforts have been made to reverse this and make the Guyana Police Force more efficient and community-friendly. He pointed to the fact that the SWAT team will be the new breed of officers who will be tasked with maintaining law and order along with suppressing any activities which threaten the country’s safety.
Training is critical
He explained that training remains critical within the Force and expressed his hopes that this will continue. He noted that training in crisis management is direly needed so as to prevent incidents such as the unfortunate Linden standoff. Another area, he said, that needs work is dealing with the regular man in the street and hostile targets. In addition, he mentioned that more needs to be done in preparing the officers to deal with domestic related issues. He stressed that there have been great advancements in technology which have already began to assist in solving crimes; however, more training is necessary to make ranks computer literate. He urged the ranks to be the shining example of what the Force should be, and urged officers to strive to: be the best in whatever they do, regain the trust of the people, and be good example for the youths. Brumell ad-
vised the lawmen to desist from intimidating law-abiding citizens, but to drive fear into those who disregard the law. The outgoing Police Commissioner noted that his office is a noble one and he advised his successor not to bring it into disrepute, while respecting those under him in order to gain respect from them. “I must let you know, if you treat them like crap, they will perform like crap,” he warned. Brumell made his emotional farewell to the Guyana Police Force in the presence of his family members, President Donald Ramotar, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, Army Chief-ofStaff Brigadier Mark Phillips, Fire Chief Marlon Gentle, senior members of the Guyana Police Force and other dignitaries, including U.S. Ambassador D Brent Hardt. In his parting words as Police Commissioner, he thanked the members of the Police Force for the opportunity to serve them and also thanked his family, more so his wife, for their understanding while he was away for long hours. He also thanked God for guiding him and giving him all he has. Brumell noted that now he will be retiring, his time will be dedicated to his family as he makes up for lost time. He requested that his and his family’s privacy be respected, since he is now out of the spotlight. D e p u t y Commissioner Seelall Persaud has been tipped to replace Brumell.
B
D i v i s i o n Commander Brian Joseph said the police have been working to put an end to the large-scale cultivation of marijuana along the Berbice River, but the fight against the narcotics trade must be won by citizens. In light of recent reports of a ramping up of cultivation, Joseph informed this publication that he and his ranks in the division are working assiduously to ensure the prohibited substance that is allegedly coming from the area does not become widespread and affect or impact the community. Guyana Times International had reported last week that large-scale ganja cultivation up the Berbice River, more specifically at De Veldt, Sand Hills, Tataballi and Gateroy, has caused much consternation among residents, with many expressing fear for their lives. According to information, some 800 pounds of marijuana cultivated there was offloaded from a small boat along the Berbice River and transported to a larger vessel, allegedly
Divisional Commander of Berbice, Brian Joseph
bound for Suriname last week. Sources say that the financial transaction for the prohibited substance took place a stone’s throw away from the police headquarters in New Amsterdam. The substance was reportedly bought by a Dutchman. Several residents are fearful for their lives as the illegal cultivation has been flourishing in the absence of eradication exercises for the past two years. One resident of De Veldt, which is some 50 miles up the Berbice River, said there is an excavator worth Gy$10 million, acquired by a known “ganja entrepre-
neur”, reportedly from the proceeds of his illicit activities. Reports indicate that the excavator was purchased in Georgetown and taken to the Berbice village via river and road transport. The ganja cultivator in question has been arrested three times for the unlawful activity, but, in the absence of concrete evidence, he was subsequently released. In 2010, the suspected drug dealer was arrested and two speedboats and other articles were seized. Commenting on the issue, Joseph emphasised that since his installation as Commander of the Division, numerous raids have been conducted on various drug houses across Berbice in order to curb the selling of the illegal substance to persons. “We have been targeting several known drug houses across the division and even conducting raids when we receive information,” he said, pointing out that if one would look at media reports over the past two years, the division has made great strides in this area, as several arrests and convictions were made.
Janet Jagan remembered as a champion for women
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WPO Essequibo members next to the Janet Jagan (inset) Monument
ormer President Janet Rosenberg Jagan was remembered as a champion for women and pioneer of the struggle for Guyana’s development at an annual wreath laying ceremony at the Cheddi Jagan Play Park, Anna Regina on Friday. The occasion hosted by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) was held to commemorate the life of the first female President of Guyana, with speakers lauding her struggle for a just society, describing her as the Mother of the Nation. The fifth anniversary of Jagan’s death featured poems, songs and a reflection on the life
and works of Mrs Jagan, with tributes pouring in from leaders of the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) and the Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO). Region Two Chairman Parmanand Persaud said that March is a significant month for the PPP as it is a period designated to remember the lives of late presidents, Dr Cheddi and his wife Janet Jagan. He called on women to emulate the life of Mrs Jagan, and continue the struggle for a better Guyana. Mrs Jagan, a cofounder of the PPP, founded the WPO with the aim of mobilising women in the fight for a better Guyana.
Persaud said Essequibians are awareof Mrs Jagan’s legacy as she was the first woman elected to the Legislative Council of Parliament, representing Essequibo. Mrs Jagan, a dental technician in her earlier days, served as Health and Labour Ministers.
Pioneer
Meanwhile, Region Two Vice Chairman and PPP First Secretary in Essequibo Vishnu Samaroo said Mrs Jagan was one of the pioneers who struggled for the development of Guyana. He said in Essequibo, Mrs Jagan is best remembered for opening the first housing scheme at Wakenaam Success and the Huis t’ Dieren Health Centre.