Division #3 records 5.9% decline in crime, 36.1% decline in traffic accidents

– Detective Corporal named Region’s ‘Best Cop’

Regional Police Division #3 (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) has thus far recorded a 5.9 per cent decline in crime and a 36.1 per cent reduction in traffic accidents for 2024.

This has been revealed by the Regional Commander, Assistant Commissioner Mahendra Siwnarine, on Tuesday during the division’s 2024 Awards Ceremony and Luncheon, held at the Leonora Technical Institute.
Acting Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken, who was present at the event, commended the division for the work done to reduce serious crimes and traffic accidents, and reiterated that the Force’s Strategic Plan for 2022-2026 is built on six pillars – Operations, Partnership, Developing Our People, Infrastructure, Performance, Professionalism, and Accountability.
Speaking on infrastructural development expected to take place in Region 3, Hicken disclosed that all stations in the division are already about 99 per cent upgraded in order to be made more modern and conducive to members of the public and the ranks who will occupy them.
“Importantly, the stations are so designed to accommodate members of the public, to accommodate the police; but, more importantly, it is conducive for you to work beyond the normal means. [but] While the buildings are there, you have a responsibility to ensure (they are) well kept,” he said.
The Commissioner has urged the officers and ranks to qualify themselves academically, as he said this is the direction that the Force is headed.
“Get yourself a piece of paper [get yourself qualified). The organisation you’re in is more professional than before,” he advised.
Expounding on the role of partnership, the Commissioner emphasised the importance of this pillar of the Force’s Strategic Plan, and urged the junior ranks to focus heavily on building partnerships with the communities they serve.
“Partnership is one (strategy) we’re not going to get rid of. As I look around here, I look at the soldiers and I’m smiling, because I’m always happy to have the soldiers around us. But more importantly, I’m seeing civilians and I’m seeing children…and that is a partnership,” he said.
Acknowledging the efforts of the ranks in the Region and the reduction in crime and accidents, Commissioner Hicken reminded them that while they are performing well, there is always room for improvement.
“You’re working hard, but you’re not working hard enough. You are doing better, but there is always room for improvement,” he asserted.
“And so, I’m sending a message now to ASP Grant and the Traffic Officer: next year, by the first quarter, the stats must change. It has to change. You cannot – cannot – have an entire region in terms of partnership and you’re still getting crimes. It means the partnership is not working, and you need to put that as a priority,” Commissioner Hicken sternly warned.
Further, he urged the gathering of senior and junior members of the Force to continue doing their work and they will be recognised.
“Do your work, and you are going to be promoted. I’m saying that to say this: Everybody cannot be promoted at the same time, but work and you’re going to be recognized,” the Commissioner pointed out.
To further show his appreciation and bring Christmas joy to the ranks of the Division, Commissioner Hicken announced a $400,000 cash incentive for the Region.
As part of Tuesday’s ceremony, several hardworking and dedicated ranks have been recognised and awarded with trophies and cash incentives.
Among the awardees were Detective Corporal Yannick Henry, who copped the Region’s ‘Best Cop’ award, and Regional Traffic Officer Assistant Superintendent Maniram Jagnanan, who received the Region’s ‘Runner-up Best Cop’ award.
Also in attendance at the ceremony were the Director of the GPF Academy, Woman Superintendent Sonia Herbert; Deputy Commander of Region Three, Superintendent Kevin Das; along with regional partners and other key stakeholders.