Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum has reported that for the year thus far, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has recorded a total of 122 murders, with 80 per cent of them being solved.
Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum
He made this revelation at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) annual Christmas luncheon and award ceremony at Police Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown, on Tuesday.
Blanhum in his presentation stated that for the year, there was a total of 1521 reports of serious crimes when compared to 2002 in 2021 – a difference of 481, which represent a 19 per cent decline.
“We have recorded in the year 2022, 122 murders and this is the third lowest number of murders recorded over a 10-year period. More importantly, our detection and clear-up rate of murder are at an all-time high – that is 80.3 per cent.”
On this note, he stated that only recently he was in Trinidad on official business and was shocked to have learnt that the country has recorded 524 murders with only 14 per cent of them solved.
“This indicates that we are doing well in the Caribbean,” Blanhum added.
However, he stated that the year 2022 accounts for the lowest frequency in break and enter and larceny with a total of 457. The highest was recorded in the year 2013 with 1692.
Top Cop Sergeant Kester Cosbert receives an award from Top Cop, Clifton Hicken
The CID Head further stated that for the past five years, the highest cocaine and ganja seizures were made this year – a whopping 294 kilograms of cocaine and 789 kilograms of ganja. With respect to gun seizures, he noted that a total of 78 illegal firearms were taken out of circulation.
“We did well this year and we will go forward into the new year to achieve greater results.”
Priorities for 2023
With respect to the focus for 2023, the Crime Chief explained that greater emphasis will be placed on technology, training, recruitment, and partnership.
“The CID intends to exploit technology and data and identify and disrupt criminal groups. We intend to work with and collaborate with ranks at the Command Centre and have them deliver to us valuable and real-time information.”
Govt Pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh receives a recognition award from Top Cop
He also noted that the CID’s team of forensic video analysts will be exposed to further advanced training to enhance their investigative skills. In addition, 60 ranks will be targeted for training before they are inducted into the Criminal Investigation Department.
CID, he related, will continue to produce high-quality investigations and strengthen its cooperation and partnership with all the relevant stakeholders.
“The CID intends to recruit and train more competent and highly qualified individuals with legal backgrounds to join our team of prosecutors…”
He reiterated that the CID will continue to make earnest efforts to prevent and detect crime, thereby protecting society and vulnerable communities. He expressed gratitude to all officers and ranks within the CID as well as the stakeholders, civil society and the public for their overwhelming support during the year.
Maximising limited resources
Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken during his address to the gathering related that the Guyana Police Force will never have an adequate number of resources, but what is important is that they are maximising the limited resources at their disposal.
The awardees along with senior Police Officers along with Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn and Director of Public Prosecution, Shalimar Ali-Hack
He noted that the Force has already commenced the decentralisation of the Command Centre in its quest to make Guyana a SMART country.
“This will aid our crime-fighting posture in an intelligence-led manner, so we are going to have real-time information without causing inconvenience to members of the public who are not concerned with persons who have been committing crimes. It is important to note that for us to maintain our posture in terms of professionalism, it is necessary that we develop capacity with the most important resource – that is human resource.”
He also praised the CID for its successes over the year by working hard and tirelessly whether by day or night which led to the ranks detecting criminal activities. He pointed out that despite concerns, the CID does not work in isolation.
“While it is centralised at the headquarters level, it is decentralised across the 12 Police regions and so they too are part of the strategic pillar that speaks to partnerships and so while they are investigating crimes, they are still interacting with members of the public.”
Runner-up Best Cop, Woman Sergeant Marlyn Rodney accepts a token from a senior police officer
He added that the success in solving crimes relied heavily on cooperation from members of the public and stakeholders.
Awards
The main objective of the Christmas luncheon is to reward ranks for their outstanding performance throughout the year. On Tuesday, several ranks from various departments were recognised for their dedication and hard work.
These ranks were drawn from the Crime Lab; Registry; Firearm Investigation Unit; Interpol; Returnee Unit; Fraud Unit; Forensic Video Analysis Unit; Cybercrime Unit; Statistics Unit; Narcotics Branch; Criminal Records Office and Supreme/Appeal Court.
The award for Best Cop was given to Sergeant Kester Cosbert from the Major Crimes Investigation Unit with Woman Sergeant Marlyn Rodney from the Trafficking in Persons Unit as the runner-up. In addition, Government Pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh was also awarded for his exemplary support of the Department.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Shalimar Ali-Hack, was also recognised for her more than 30 years in the legal profession. The GPF’s legal advisors, Mandel Moore and Delon Fraser were also recipients of awards. (G10)
