on the part of the Force’s accounting for goods and services

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The 2013 report of the Auditor General has revealed that the Guyana Police Force, (GPF) was to recover a total of $2.333M from its payroll, for the years 2010, 2011 and 2012.The amounts shown outstanding are for the overpayment of salaries and deductions made by the Force.The Auditor General’s report noted the process of recovery was extremely slow, even though there was verification of efforts to recover amounts. Up to the time of the report, only amounts totaling $425,587 was recovered over the years, in 2012 and 2013. The report outlined that once again, there were recommendations for rectifications from Auditor General, Deodat Sharma.The Force’s Finance Officer however had explained that work was being done to have the outstanding amounts recovered.  As such, the Audit Office recommended that the GPF take the necessary follow up action to recover the overpayments.Meanwhile, on the part of the Force’s accounting for goods and services, the report noted that log books and historical records containing information about vehicles owned and operated by the GPF could not be accounted for. According to the report, 331 logs were presented for audit scrutiny, 41 were still outstanding.In 2012, 44 log books were not presented for audit examination, according to the report.The document further stated that given the existing circumstances, the Force would not be in a position to monitor the individual cost of repairs or determine whether it was economical to retain or dispose of certain vehicles.As such, the Audit Office recommended that the administration of the Guyana Police Force take appropriate action to ensure that log books and historical records are maintained for all motor vehicles and equipment under its control, to the extent that these confirm to the requirement of the Stores Regulations and are retrieved annually for audit.The Police Force in response had noted that its Finance Office had explained that reconciliation was taking place to identify the reasons for the differences.Further, the report stated that the Audit Office recommended that the Guyana Police Force puts measures in place to ensure strict supervision and control over the issuing of fuel to its fleet of vehicles, machinery and equipment.In addition, the Guyana Police Force was encouraged to take action to obtain the bank statements and to effect an immediate reconciliation of its bank account.The Audit Office urged the Guyana Police Force to investigate the matter for vital recovery of the amounts overpaid, while taking the necessary remedial action to avoid any future occurrences.