70% increase in rapes reported between January and June – Top Cop

…48 road deaths

While the Guyana Police Force (GPF) continues to report a decline in serious crimes and accidents across the country, there has been an exponential increase in the number of rape cases reported so far this year.

This was revealed by acting Police Commissioner Nigel Hoppie during his address at the Police Force’s 182nd awards ceremony, where ranks were rewarded for the recovery of illegal firearms, interdiction of narcotics, and the arrest of wanted persons.
The Top Cop disclosed that during the period January to June this year, there were a whopping 153 reports of the offence of rape, compared to 90 reports made last year. This represents a 70 per cent spike in rape cases.
Meanwhile, other serious crimes during the first half of this year recorded a contrasting decline.

There was an 18.7 per cent decrease in serious crimes recorded at the end of June, with robberies under arms declining by 36.3 per cent and murders going down by 16.7 per cent, with 65 homicides this year compared to 78 during the same period in 2020.

“Overall, at the end of June this year, seven women have been the victims of murder compared to 20 for the same period last year. Of the seven victims, six were killed during domestic-related incidents, while of the 20 victims last year, 10 were due to domestic violence,” the Top Cop explained.
He also reported that some 112 fields with 89 acres of cannabis sativa (marijuana) have been located and destroyed.
Additionally, 34 illegal firearms were recovered by the Police to date in 2021 – 17 pistols, eight revolvers and nine shotguns.
As it relates to traffic, Commissioner Hoppie reported a 32 per cent decrease in fatal accidents as of July 10 with 48 accidents resulting in 52 fatalities this year compared to 71 resulting in 74 fatalities for the same period in 2020 – reflecting a consequential 30 per cent decline in the death toll.
It was outlined that pedestrians and motorcyclists account for the major categories of road users who have lost their lives this year. Some 17 pedestrians and 12 motorcyclists were killed on the roadways thus far.
The Top Cop revealed that some 21 of these fatal accidents were as a result of inattentiveness, while speeding accounts for 18 of those fatal accidents.
Traffic enforcement so far this year throughout the country has resulted in 8719 cases being filed for speeding, 459 cases for driving under the influence and 10,188 for unlicensed driver.
According to Commissioner Hoppie, a lot of good work has been done by the Force in fighting crime. He highlighted: the dismantling of a criminal group responsible for robbing customers leaving gold vendors’ establishments; the suspects in the arson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Linden office being arrested and charged; suspects in the murders of the Henry cousins and Haresh Singh being arrested and charged; the murder of taxi driver Kenrick Trim being solved with the perpetrators on trial currently before the courts; and Answar Stoll murderer Leon Waddle being apprehended in a chicken pen by detectives and later charged.
“The fight continues as we interdict criminals and illegal arms and ammunition. The threats of illegal narcotics, domestic violence and Trafficking in Persons continue to plague the society ,and every effort will be maintained as we work assiduously to reduce these threats to society. Indeed, while the Police have no direct control of crime, no effort is spared to exercise crime control by utilising methods of prevention and detection of crime,” the acting Police Commissioner posited.
During Thursday’s awards ceremony, some 3258 Police ranks and 28 Community Policing Groups (CPGs) were recognised and rewarded with over $17.7 million in incentives along with other prizes.
However, while the Force acknowledged these ranks for going beyond the call of duty, the Top Cop disclosed that this was not being done without rogue cops whose actions thwart crime-fighting efforts.
“We are not going to be naïve and bury our heads in the sand. We have members of the law enforcement community who are faced with allegations of rape, robbery, manslaughter, assault and corruption, neglect of duty, but who were dealt with condignly, having either been placed before the courts or on disciplinary charges, accordingly. Presently, there are 29 ranks before the courts on various charges,” Hoppie disclosed.
Meanwhile, the Top Cop said that the Police Force’s Social Crime Prevention Programme is continuing in all the Regional Police Divisions, with particular emphasis on youths and strengthening Police-community relationships. Its main focus is aimed at empowering youths to develop skills and moral values in order to become productive and meaningful contributors to society, and building public trust.
Notwithstanding the COVID-19 pandemic and its ensuing restrictions, in keeping with the GPF’s thrust to build public trust and confidence, the acting Commissioner said there has been significant involvement in community work and community outreach with emphasis on moulding youths.
Outlining that Police work was generally for a cause and not applause, Hoppie said he was confident that the Police Force would continue to perform at a high level.
To this end, the Top Cop said: “… I reiterate my call and urge members of the Force to be professional in their behaviour and conduct, showing courtesy towards members of the public, and to avoid corrupt practices. Let us build bridges with the public and thereby improve on our public image in order that we can enhance public trust and confidence that are so essential. We in the Police Force cannot do it alone. We need the understanding and support of the public that we serve.”
Since the commencement of the awards ceremony in 1990, the Police Force has paid out a total of $448.8 million in cash incentives to deserving Police ranks.
After congratulating this year’s recipients, the acting Police Commissioner encouraged those ranks yet to receive such rewards to make a greater effort in order to also benefit from these incentives.
The GPF awards ceremony coincided with the celebration of its 182nd anniversary. (G8)