New multi-million-dollar Parika, Anna Regina police stations commissioned by Home Affairs Ministry

Two new multi-million-dollar police stations were commissioned on Sunday by Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn, to provide a favourable environment for officers to effectively serve and protect residents of Parika and Anna Regina.

It was noted that the Parika police station in Region Three, was earmarked to be remodelled in September 2020, through the Inter-American Development Bank’s (IDB) Citizen Security Strengthening Programme. The $60M facility was designed to accommodate a fully functional domestic violence room, juvenile friendly holding area, witness protection room, case management room and system, children friendly area and integrated crime information system and offices.

Minister Benn encouraged officers at the handing over ceremonies held at the respective facilities to integrate public security with improved accommodations and technology. Benn noted that good policing is about respecting the society in which one serves. “For those who are in the front line of policing, ensuring public safety and security, protection, proper accommodation, better ergonomics, better technology, all of these things have to come together and this is what we are about now in relation to the police force,” the minister said.

He continued, “Good policing is not only about buildings, good policing has to do with being assured, respected in the work that we do, and it is a daily task, and a daily effort that we have to be able to raise the level of respect for the police. The respect for the society, the respect for each other. We will work to ensure that we provide the requisite support to maintain improvements which we speak of.” Minister Benn revealed that in Region Two, he handed over a multi-purpose policing facility to the tune of $215.1M, which will serve as the headquarters for the regional division number two. The facility will house several departments including traffic, criminal investigation and the Anna Regina Immigration Service. This will serve to decentralise immigration services to residents of Regions One and Two.

The home affairs minister disclosed that the state-of-the-art policing facility was constructed to provide a conducive environment for officers, to boost their effectiveness, to fight crime and promote public safety. Additionally, Benn said that more policing vehicles will be procured to improve the response time of police officers.

“New vehicles are on the way. We expect that they will be properly used and used to respond with alacrity and integrity to the problems of the people,” the minister added. Permanent Secretary, Mae Toussaint Jr. Thomas, Commissioner of Police (ag) Clifton Hicken, Divisional Commander of Region Two, Shivpersaud Bacchus, and Divisional Commander of Region Three, Mahendra Siwnarine, were among those present at the ceremony.