Former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik. AFP PHOTO

Rohee was responding to a question by Alliance for Change (AFC) member of Parliament Raphael Trotman who asked whether Kerik and/or his company has been hired or contracted in any capacity as a consultant, or otherwise, or be involved in law enforcement in Guyana.

Trotman further asked if Kerik has been, or is likely to be retained, what is the remuneration and benefits to be offered to him and his associates by the Government of Guyana.

Rohee said “should Mr Kerik be retained by the Government of Guyana any remuneration and benefits will be subject to negotiations.”

President Bharrat Jagdeo had indicated that former New York Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik would be one of the persons expected to work with the Guyana Government during the reform process of the Criminal Justice System along with the Scottish Police and the British Government.

Jagdeo had met with Kerik in August, 2006 and during the meeting, Kerik had pointed to the need for the entire criminal justice system in Guyana to be assessed.

In his New Year’s speech, Jagdeo indicated that the reform of the criminal justice system will be given critical attention since reform in this area was imperative.

In December, Rohee pointed to some of the progress made through various meetings held in regard to the reform of the system.

“We had several important meetings on this matter, and it is expected that by the middle of January we should be well on our way in implementing a reform in five areas on which we have agreed with the British,” Rohee said.

Some of the areas that the reform would cover include: setting up a SWAT team organisation and SWAT training, an anti-crime unit, training in areas in crowd control and driving.

Government will be responsible for the establishment of a training centre for the police force, building a forensic lab, establishing approximately 72 police stations and emphasising community action which will entail working with stakeholders of the respective communities to bring them closer to the reform process.

Several years ago, Government had indicated its commitment to reforming the Guyana Police Force to make it more effective through examining issues such as the crime fighting capability of the force.