After solving last weekend’s murder of Roger Manikam within two days’ time, Police ranks within C Division (East Coast Demerara) came in for high praises as the Division continues to record reductions in its crime and traffic figures.
Speaking with Guyana Times on Tuesday, Divisional Commander, Assistant Police Commissioner Marlon Chapman, noted that there has been a general decrease in all categories within C Division.
C Division Commander Marlon Chapman
According to the Police’s monthly statistical report for February, crime as well as traffic cases have decreased compared to the same period last year. Having spent most of his career in the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), the Commander expressed his satisfaction at the performance of ranks within his division, particularly in solving this recent murder.
“As you know, crime is not something we can stop but we can work our utmost to suppress it, and my investigators did extremely well (in investigating the case). We know who the perpetrators are, they are in custody and now it’s just us getting legal opinion on the way forward,” he stated.
Chapman noted that one of the most prevalent offences within the Division is break and enter but this has also gone down significantly. He said this shows that the ranks are stepping up to their tasks and carrying out their duties diligently, as more matters are being solved within a short time span.
The Commander noted that while there is always the need for more manpower as well as equipment to effectively and efficiently execute their duties, his Division has managed to carry out its mandate with whatever resources they have.
“We have challenges, like any other system, but we work with what we have. There is always a need for more human resources and transportation but we always work with what we have,” he stressed.
Moreover, Chapman attributed this drive within his ranks to the unwavering support from the Force’s administration. He also recognised the impact that the renewed trust of the public in the Police Force has on policing within his division.
“We have seen more members of the public coming out and coming forward with information that assists the Police in carrying out their duties. So we now have better information flow from the public to Police and this assists us greatly,” the Commander remarked.
According to him, the Division’s Community Relations Department, through its many social crime prevention initiatives, has contributed significantly to the raise in public confidence in the Force.
Meanwhile, as it relates to traffic in C Division, Commander Chapman said this too is under control, with there being a reduction in all categories of accidents.
Statistics from February revealed that there were two deaths from two accidents within the Division thus far for the year, compared to eight deaths from two accidents during the same period last year.
He disclosed that there have been various interventions to curb road accidents, including ranks being stationed at strategic points along the East Coast highway to maintain order on the roadways.
In addition, there are random exercises where ranks would be out with their radar guns to catch those drivers who want to turn the East Coast highway into the South Dakota Circuit, he said. Chapman added too that the traffic ranks are very active, adding that they are constantly out on the roadways with the breathalysers to capture those who often drink and drive, endangering their lives and that of others.
The Commander noted that speeding and overloading by minibus operators are matters traffic ranks are constantly dealing with. He noted also that the Division recently acquired a new batch of traffic ranks from the training school, so there is more Police presence on the roads.
“That is what is assisting us with the reduction because we have the heavy presence of ranks on motorcycle, cars and on foot,” he stated.
