Public trust in Police stronger – Commander Hicken

Commander of A Division (Georgetown-East Bank Demerara), Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Clifton Hicken, believes that the Guyana Police Force is gradually building its relationship with members of the public to regain their trust.
At the A Division career day fair held on Saturday, Commander Hicken outlined that the attendance of 800 plus children means public trust and confidence in the Force is growing, as parents were comfortable sending their children to the event.
Hicken pointed out that the service the Police provides is unlike any other. He said it is not one-tracked but benefits all of Guyana, as such, he wants members of public to be part of the policing process.
The Commander noted that his division will continue to work assiduously to bring members of the public on board and for them to work along with the Police. However, he noted that A Division is already making some headway in this regard.

Public giving assistance
Hicken reflected over the past month during which the Police received tremendous support from members of public in solving several high profile matters. He mentioned the Smyth Street murder of O’Riley Small, 32, of Lot 2 Smyth Street, Georgetown, who was gunned down in his backyard moments after returning home from a night club on March 19; the execution of Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Lance Corporal Kevon Payne, 22, of Sussex Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, on March 29; and 57-year-old Gladston Taylor, called “Tuffy” of Adelaide Street, Charlestown, three days later.
According to the Commander, members of the public played an integral role in solving these killings for which persons have been charged and placed before the courts. “I am overwhelmed as I say this because members of the public were on the scene with us, they spoke with us there and even went to the station to talk with us. They have been giving us information all the time, people have been calling us at all levels and we have an open door policy so we are seeing them at all levels,” he remarked proudly.
Moreover, the A Division Commander revealed that for the first time in 20 years, serious crimes within his Division are down to a record minus 22 per cent (-22%). Hicken credited this not only to the improved intel-capacity of investigations but to support from members of the public.
“Before, there was always that fear that whenever you give Police information it would have gone back, but I think we are past that hurdle now and we are getting information as it unfolds. This allows us to solve matters in a more timely manner,” the Commander noted.
Hicken committed that as long as he is Commander of the Division, he will continue to build capacity with members of the public.
Over the past two years, the Guyana Police Force has embarked on a Social Crime Prevent Programme, the brain-child of Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud. The initiative aims at regaining public trust by engaging persons in skills training, sports and cultural activities.