GPF records 19.2% decrease in serious crimes for 2022

– over $149M in cash, incentives handed out to outstanding performance for 2022

As the Guyana Police Force (GPF) continues to use a tough approach to crime fighting around the country, it has been reported that serious crimes have decreased in 2022 when compared to the corresponding period last year.
Commissioner of Police (ag), Clifton Hicken, during the Guyana Police Force’s 2022 Christmas award ceremony on Thursday, said that there was a 19.2 percent decrease in serious crimes for the period January 1, 2022, to date.
This decrease translates to some 331 less serious crimes being recorded for the year when compared to the same period in 2021.
While there are 12 regional divisions, Regional Division 4 ‘A’ (Georgetown) accounted for the majority of the crimes. Twenty-four percent of the country’s serious crimes were committed in this division.
Hicken also stated that the GPF was able to seize more firearms this year, compared to last year
Despite the many challenges in the Force’s traffic management, the top cop said they have also seen a decrease in accidents.
“Currently we are enjoying what we will call an -11% in terms of accident…we’re now focused on visibility rather than just stopping vehicles,” he pointed out”, the Top Cop related.
Only a month ago, Crime Chief, Wendell Blanhum, had announced that break and enter and larceny is the most prevalent offence in Guyana, and these cases declined by 23 percent, which translates to 134 fewer cases during the aforementioned period.

As it relates to the police’s drug interdiction efforts, he had mentioned that 2022 also accounted for the seizure of in excess of 293 kilogrammes of cocaine.
This figure represents the third-highest seizure over the five-year period with the highest being in 2021 when 536 kilogrammes were seized.
Meanwhile, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) handed out a total of $142.9 million in cash and other incentives to members during its annual awards ceremony.
The Commissioner, in his remarks further noted that the overall outstanding performance of the Police Force has resulted in a lot of accomplishments. As such, some 4763 ranks were rewarded compared to last year with 3467 ranks.
So far, the overall best cop prize has been awarded to Superintend Chanbinauth Singh, while his runner-up is Sergeant 21432 Douglas. Special awardees’ prizes went to Corporal Wright from Central Immigration and Passport Office, and Sergeant Cosbert from the Criminal Investigations Department Headquarters.