PSC wants meeting with Ramjattan, concerned about ‘disturbing’ crime situation

The Private Sector Commission in a statement Wednesday says it is concerned about the “manifestly frightening and disturbing incidents of violent crime across the country.”

The PSC said its Governance and Security Committee met on Tuesday, May 28 to address the situation and is now requesting a meeting with the Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan and Police Commissioner Leslie James.

According to the PSC statement, “The Commission believes that there is a much greater need for public confidence and trust in the Police Force.”

The PSC also said that it is concerned about the “insufficient progress” with the implementation of the Security Sector Reform and believes there is considerable room for enhancement in intelligence gathering and analysis.

“While the Private Sector Commission acknowledges the most recent success of the police in confronting violent crime in Berbice and recognises the continuing efforts of the police to meet this growing challenge threatening the safety and wellbeing of every citizen, the Commission believes that much more can and should be done to meet this challenge.”

Three bandits were shot and killed by police ranks in Black Bush Polder, East Berbice Corentyne on May 19.

Police ranks acting on information that strange persons were seen in the backlands of the Mibicuri, Black Bush Polder area, led to the confrontation with the bandits.

However, the PSC maintains that there is need for greater human and financial resources in the Police Force.

See PSC’s full statement below:

The Governance and Security Committee of the Private Sector Commission met yesterday {May 29, 2019) to address the increasing and wide-spread public concern over the manifestly frightening and disturbing incidents of violent crime across the country.

The Committee decided to request a joint meeting with the Minister of Public Security and Commissioner of Police on the matter.

While the Private Sector Commission acknowledges the most recent success of the police in confronting violent crime in Berbice and recognises the continuing efforts of the police to meet this growing challenge threatening the safety and wellbeing of every citizen, the Commission believes that much more can and should be done to meet this challenge.

The Commission is deeply concerned that insufficient progress is being made with regards to the implementation of Security Sector Reform.

The Commission believes that there is considerable room for enhancement in intelligence gathering and analysis than is currently in place.

The Commission is convinced of the need for significantly greater human and financial resources being placed at the disposal of the police force.

The Commission believes that there is a much greater need for public confidence and trust in the Police Force.

The Commission looks forward to a strong and uncompromising standard of leadership in our security forces.