Outstanding GPF ranks receive $133.1M for excellent performance

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Thursday distributed $133.1 million in awards to reward officers and auxiliary staffers within the apparatus for their stellar performance in ensuring law and order.
As part of the Force’s 184th anniversary celebrations, the awards ceremony was organised on Thursday at the Police Officers’ Mess Annexe, Eve Leary.
For 2023, the monetary distribution moved up from $81.5 million last year.
Deputy Commissioner (Administration) Calvin Brutus indicated that 4291 awards were given out, as opposed to 3421 last year. The number of special awards also moved up from 800 to 1051.

Ranks from the 12 regional divisions; Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters; Tactical Services Unit; Office of Professional Responsibility; Commissioner’s General Registry were among those rewarded.
Members of the CID received in excess of $4.2 million. These officers were awarded for their input in solving the murder of truck driver Kerry Sears at Eccles Dumpsite Road; the double murder of Johnson Bowen and Manuel Dos Santos at Linden during a home invasion; discovery of the remains of Police Constable Quincy Lewis; the murder of popular teacher and comedian Kirwyn Mars; the murder-robbery of businessman Shimron Adams; the murder of Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard Lieutenant Rondel Douglas and others.
Efforts in narcotics seizures, the aftermath of the Mahdia dorm fire and anti-Trafficking in Persons operations were also acknowledged.
Acting Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken stated during the occasion that the awards ceremony celebrates persons who have distinguished themselves and the Police Force through exceptional acts of courage, professionalism, and commendable conduct.
“Your efforts have not gone unnoticed, as we have conjointly remained committed to the mandate of the Guyana Police Force. The Guyana Police Force is reforming, as we are rebranding and retooling our policing practices driven by our 2022–2026 Strategic Plan. The plan is consistent with the manifesto promises under the broader national objectives of “less crime, safer communities,” and it guides our strategic direction of being a modernised, diversified, professional, and accountable Police Service prepared to meet contemporary policing demands,” he voiced.

As the Force remains resolute in upholding law and order, the Top Cop posited that there was a zero-tolerance policy for any officer who breaches the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
“Ethics, standards and professionalism are considered hallmarks and there will be non-acceptance, non-tolerance for members of the Force at any level who breach the SOPs. You are employed to serve and not to be served…Our duty is not just detecting and preventing crime. It is about creating a world that is understanding and security for the rights of all people,” he voiced to the ranks.
Senior officers were charged to step out of their offices and serve the communities, in keeping with the mandate of building out a contemporary Force.
“Our days to be sitting in the offices is long gone. That is not contemporary policing. Your duty as Commanders and Heads of Department are to ensure that the ranks under your command interact with the public. The public is who we were established to serve. You will continue to build those bridges and develop relationships with communities,” Hicken said.
The GPF is on the verge of establishing a Monitoring and Evaluation Unit to ensure transparency, a Police Reform Committee to drive change management, and a Risk Management Unit to deal with strengths and weaknesses. It will also be restructuring the Auditing Unit to hold officers in key positions accountable.
“Opportunities and threats, we don’t have control over that. The Risk Management Unit is necessary for us in that regard,” said the Top Cop.
Work is ongoing to create an air wing of the GPF; two ranks are already undergoing flight training in Miami. (G12)