By Celestine Chacon | February 6, 2025
The Ministry of Home Affairs is set to expand its community policing efforts by adding 40 new Community Policing Groups (CPGs) in 2025, aimed at strengthening law enforcement and enhancing security at the community level.
This initiative was disclosed by Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, during the parliamentary budget estimates for the Ministry.
Minister Benn provided key statistics to the Parliamentary Committee of Supply, highlighting the locations of some of the new groups.
Among the areas targeted for expansion are Port Kaituma, Mabaruma, and Moruca in Region One, among others.
The Minister emphasized that community policing groups play a crucial role as the first line of defense in preventing and addressing potential crimes, disorderly behavior, and border surveillance.
In response to opposition concerns about the training of CPG members, Minister Benn outlined the specialized training that these groups will continue to receive.
This includes training in surveillance, drone operations, tracking, gathering intelligence, arresting individuals, and cautioning suspects.
The Minister also noted that some groups will be equipped with all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and horses, particularly for access to difficult areas, where they will serve as “vaqueros.”
The expansion of these groups will significantly increase the total number of CPG members, with the addition of thousands of civilians to the existing pool of 5,381 members.
This move is part of a broader effort to improve national security and build safer, more resilient communities across the country.