Police risk their lives every day

With 24 policemen killed by criminals in the past two years compared with 26 in the pervious 88 years, officials have been finding it hard to recruit new members, as young Guyanese say they do not find a career in policing appealing.

One teenager told BBC Caribbean radio: "Right now the police afraid. And I am very afraid. I would never become a police. Never!"

Home Affairs Minister Gail Teixeira however appealed to Guyana's youth not to be afraid.

"We need strong and resolute young people, intelligent and educated. Some will say they are afraid. But policing all over the world is not an easy job. But policing is also a proud profession," she said.

Danger

One person who shares her view is Assistant Police Commissioner Paul Slowe. He said there is no denying the job is risky and the pay not very high, but he says it is the joy of being able to serve that has kept him in the force for over 30 years.

The level of violence is not only a Guyana phenomenon. All over the world the level of violence has increased.   Paul Slowe, Assistant Police Commissioner

He said he does not see the lack of resources as a hindrance, but as a challenge and this challenge keeps him dedicated.

"If one was to just look at the salary as then incentive then maybe you would not join; but once you get in and recognise the opportunities for training, for development to travel to all parts of the country to serve then one finds it very attractive indeed," he said.

Inspector Slowe said statistics outlining the numbers of police that have died in the line of duty in Guyana in the past two years are quite shocking; but added this will not deter him from encouraging young people to join the force.

"The level of violence is not only a Guyana phenomenon. All over the world the level of violence has increased and we don't encourage people to expose themselves to unnecessary danger but the policeman's job is an inherently dangerous job, and therefore I will still encourage young people to join."

In Guyana, one concern is the lack of East Indian Guyanese enrolled in the force. Guyana's population is predominantly Black and East Indian.

While President Bharrat Jagdeo has not openly said his government is targeting more East Indian Guyanese, he did state that more full time police will be recruited to live and work in East Indian communities.

"We have decided to establish a new full-time community based arm of the Guyana police force," he said.

"These neighbourhood police will also support community policing groups. This is a new category of police officers and is not intended to deemphasize regular policing which policing will be intensified."