Over 16,500 Police reports made in Division 4A, 3501 criminal charges laid – McBean

…says serious crime drops 2.4% in division

Serious crimes in Guyana Police Force (GPF) Regional Division 4A have decreased by 2.4 per cent for 2025, according to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) and Commander of the division, Simon McBean. The statistics were revealed during the GPF Regional Division 4A Annual Christmas Luncheon and Awards Ceremony 2025.

“I am proud to report that in 2025, we are responding with resilience. Despite the economic boom, crime in Region Four-A has remained steady year-to-date. We have recorded a 2.4 per cent decrease in serious crimes compared to 2024,” DCP McBean said. He noted that while the year-to-year reduction is significant, the broader trend over the past five years highlights a remarkable transformation within the division. “However, if we look at the broader picture over the last five years, the transformation is staggering. Since 2020, serious crimes in the division have fallen by more than 76 per cent. We have moved from 836 recorded serious crimes in 2020 to just 200 to date in 2025,” he stated. According to McBean, this success is built on three strategic pillars, foundational policing, technological integration and strong community partnerships. “Our foundational policing is built on resilience, reassurance, deterrence and strong leadership,” he explained.
He attributed much of the progress to enhanced technological capabilities introduced by the Government of Guyana. “We utilise smart cameras, facial recognition systems, drones, body-worn cameras, and the LCD monitoring system in Georgetown—our eyes in the sky. Finally, our community partnerships remain the backbone of our success and are integral to the relationship between the police and the public,” McBean said.

Public’s perception
Despite the positive statistics, the Divisional Commander acknowledged that public perception and fear of crime remain challenges. “While the numbers are positive, we recognise that one serious crime is still one too many. Public perception often lags behind data, and the fear of crime remains a challenge for us,” he noted.
Looking ahead, McBean said the division’s primary objective is to ensure that improved safety statistics translate into a real sense of security for citizens.
“Moving forward, our primary goal is to ensure that the safety reflected in the statistics is safety truly felt by every citizen in their daily lives,” he said.
He also highlighted improvements in road safety, noting a three per cent increase in general traffic accidents but a significant 24 per cent decrease in fatal accidents.
“This is a testament to our Traffic Department’s hard work and commitment to saving lives,” he added. Turning to personnel matters, McBean stressed the importance of recognising the officers behind the statistics. He revealed that Division Four-A began 2025 with a strength of 596 ranks and is concluding the year with 582, acknowledging that the year was not without challenges.
“The force lost 14 ranks to dismissal, six to retirement, and one to withdrawal. Additionally, seven ranks were charged and placed before the court during 2025, reminding us of the high standards of integrity we must uphold,” he said.
He further disclosed that the division also faced health-related challenges, accumulating a total of 3,665 days of sick leave. Despite these challenges, McBean said there was much to celebrate in terms of career advancement within the division. “Thanks to the visionary initiative of His Excellency President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, a staggering 425 ranks within the division were promoted in 2025. This massive investment in your careers is a clear sign that your hard work and commitment to the state do not go unnoticed,” he stated.
McBean reported that operational productivity remained high, with ranks investigating more than 16,500 reports during the year, leading to 3,501 criminal charges. The Traffic Department also brought over 5,660 persons before the courts for traffic violations. He further revealed that the division successfully removed 28 illegal firearms from the streets and seized more than 65 kilograms (kg) of cannabis and 18 grams of cocaine. It was also disclosed that while there was an 18.75 per cent decrease in anti-crime patrols due to resource constraints – an issue expected to be fully addressed in the first quarter of 2026 – the division still conducted over 28,000 patrols and 435 community outreaches.
McBean credited the achievements of Division Four-A to strong support from the Government and police leadership. “This feat could not have been achieved without the support of the Government of Guyana and the Police Administration. I wish to thank the Honourable Minister of Home Affairs for her guidance, the Government of Guyana for the resources provided, our commissioner for his leadership and the additional Christmas season patrols, and the Executive Leadership Team for their sterling support throughout the year,” he said.