Deputy Police Commissioner urges CID ranks to “raise the bar” in 2025

Deputy Police Commissioner of Law Enforcement, Wendell Blanhum on Monday urged detectives of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to aspire to do better in 2025 during a ceremony on Monday to celebrate their achievements for 2024.
Addressing the CID’s annual Christmas Luncheon, Blanhum noted that an analysis of the last ten years revealed that 2024 recorded the lowest number of serious crimes, lowest number of murders and lowest number of Break and Enter with Larceny which is the most common type of robbery.
In addition, 2024 recorded a total of 178 seizures of firearms which is the highest for the ten years analysed. “You’re all excellent examples through which the value of hard work is exemplified,” he told the ranks.
He lauded the ranks for their work in dismantling criminal groups involving carjackings and other crimes.

Blanhum noted that the specialised departments of the Unit have helped the regional police divisions to maintain crime statistics, investigate serious and complicated cases of murder, investigate cybercrimes, firearm and narcotic offences, and deal with trafficking in person cases and juvenile offences among others.
“As the year 2025 is fast approaching, every rank within the CID should be motivated to raise the bar beyond their performance this year. And I implore each of you to continue to work diligently and aim for higher rank,” he urged those gathered at the event.
Highlighting that the CID’s role in fulfilling its mandate is as outlined by the Guyana Police Forces (GPL) Standing Order No. 62, Blanhum disclosed that all specialised sections of the CID continue to collaborate, network and provide valuable support to the respective police regions.
“These specialised sections are responsible for inter alia, the maintenance of crime statistics, the investigation of serious and complicated cases of murder, the investigation of cybercrimes, firearm offences, narcotics offences, trafficking in persons, fraud offences, and juvenile offences perpetrated by juveniles, just to name a few. The headquarters is also responsible for updating and maintaining criminal records, capacity building and training, and last but not least, providing security at the High Court and the Court of Appeal”.
The Crime Chief, however, related that the role being spearheaded by the arm often requires ranks to go beyond the line of duty and spend time away from their families, among others.
“In fulfilling our mandate, our ranks were confronted with some challenges, which were not only limited to our operations but some challenges also encompassed sleepless nights, and long weekends away from their families and friends, while performing duties during several high-profile investigations.
“In rising to the occasion to overcome these challenges for the current year, our detectives across the 12 police regions managed to achieve numerous successes by demonstrating a high degree of patience, commitment, dedication, and teamwork” he added.
Apart from Cadet Office, Prince, who received the award of Best Cop in the CID and Sergeant Ameer Mohamed as his runner-up some others were recognised for their contribution to the department.
The list includes Constable Christopher Kissoon from the Major Crimes Investigation Unit; Lance Corporal Bhupaul Narine from the Fraud Squad; Constable Matthew Evans from the Cyber Crime Unit; Corporal Lallchan Ragbeer from the Forensic Video Analysis Unit; Corporal Nicketia Jonas from the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Unit; Corporal Randy David from the Returnees/Finance Department; Lance Corporal Davina Campbell from the Criminal Records Office; Lance Corporal Devon Benjamin from the Registry; Sergeant Colene John-Griffith from the Statistics Unit; Lance Corporal Murietta Griffith from Interpol; Lance Corporal Orlanzo Boyce from the Prosecutors’ Office; and Constable Leon Rodney from the Supreme Criminal Court.