Georgetown : A total of $12.3M was given out to Police ranks and members of the Community Policing Groups for exemplary services as the Guyana Police Force celebrates its 175th Anniversary. A total of 1300 persons received money.
This award ceremony has become a tradition that was started by former Police Commission, the late Laurie Lewis in 1990. A similar ceremony is hosted at year-end to recognise police officers who have performed creditably throughout the year.
Awards were given to ranks who: apprehended armed suspects, thwarted robbery attempts, uncovered unlicenced firearms, destroyed marijuana fields and made drug busts, solved murder cases, conducted exceptional crime scene investigations, and performed exceptionally in the field of athletics.
Addressing the awardees who hailed from the various police divisions across the country, Police Commissioner (ag), Seelall Persaud spoke of the positive motivational impacts this kind of recognition has had on ranks who went above and beyond the call of duty to uphold the Force’s mandate.
Current statistics has shown an overall decrease in crimes compared to the same period last year. However, there is a nine percent increase in murders, and a 25 percent increase in gun-related robberies. All divisions are showing overall decreases with the exception of ‘F’ Division.
Regarding road deaths, the statistics is showing that fatal accidents have increased by six percent from 53 last year to 56 this year. In this regard, the Force’s traffic department will increase its efforts in traffic education and enforcement. Moreover, the recent addition of a batch of specially-trained traffic wardens is expected to assist in this regard.
“We are at a unique moment in our history. The implementation of the Force’s strategic plan is manifesting into a transformation of our organisation. At the top, our decision making structure has changed with an executive leadership team addressing policy and a performance group addressing operations. This, coupled with the adoption of a procedure to take decisions on the basis of research and analysis, is making the Force a proactive one,” Seelall said.
He maintained that the Force must remain proactive, and in this regard the Strategic Management Department (SMD) has been playing a key role. This unit was created to spearhead the implementation of the strategic plan.
While there have been instances where the Force was exposed to public criticisms as a result of the actions of a few rogue elements, much have been accomplished by ranks who carried out their lawful mandate with diligence and professionalism.
Several successful sting operations were executed that led to the dismantling of the ‘Hot Skull” gang in Albouystown, arrest and charge of almost all the perpetrators of the murder of a prominent businessman at Meten-Meer-Zorg (some of whom have been implicated an armed robbery committed earlier in Wakenaam).
Additionally, some $93M worth of stolen gold from Port Kaituma was recovered by police ranks within 48 hours; while the four prisoners who escaped from the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court complex were all recaptured. These are only of few successes that the GPF has recorded in recent months.
Several community based projects have been rolled out in each police division across the country. This is being done in collaboration with the Ministries of Home Affairs, Culture Youth and Sport, Labour, Human Services and Social Security, faith-based organisations and members of the corporate sector. The aim is to engage youths in constructive development and empowering activities.
Seelall informed that the GPF will be launching three new projects in collaboration with COPS and Faith Community Network. A
suicide hotline will be established to provide the appropriate psychosocial help those who need it. “We have recently appointed a GPF Chaplain who will not only deal with ceremonies, but will also coordinate among the faith-based organisations and experts in the Force to provide counselling to our frontline ranks who would have encountered a traumatic experience,” the Commissioner said.
The Force is also working on a project that would see it offering counselling to victims (and relatives of victims) of serious crimes. In order to effectively manage those activities, the Force will soon introduce a Community Relations Branch.
With regards to police officers abusing their authority, the Commissioner said that a number of initiatives have been taken to address this issue head-on. Reference was made to the Sparendaam incident, where a young constable was indicted for assaulting a detainee and a senior inspector for obstructing the course of justice.
Investigations were carried out, the ranks were taken before court and criminal charges were instituted much faster than in stances reported before. Additionally, a number of departmental disciplinary charges are likely to follow.
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