By Malisa Playter Harry
Despite the crime rate in Berbice showing what seems to be an ‘all-time-high’, the Guyana Police Force ‘B’ Division on Saturday presented awards to several ranks of the division for their outstanding work, thus far for 2016.
Many of the ranks were awarded for their prompt and intelligent work despite the negatives.
Presenting the feature address was the Commander Ian Amsterdam who commended the ranks for their hard work.
“We want to do this as part if our contribution to our ranks and all those who would have supported us thus far during the year,” the commander said.
He pointed out that several ranks were awarded during the force’s 177th anniversary in July, however, there are others that were unable to receive awards despite the exceptional work they did. This he said was due to a lack of sufficient funds.
He noted that over $14 Million in incentives were given out to ranks of the force but some $20M more was needed.
“I felt that we were cheating persons who would have committed their time, their good work but were not rewarded and recognised,” the Commander highlighted noting that it aids in motivating persons to perform better.
Business persons and faith-based organisations were also awarded for their selfless service and commitment to social activities that aided Crime Prevention and Traffic Improvement, while members of the media were awarded their continuous support to ‘B’ Division.
Meanwhile, he charged the media to “not glorify criminals and their criminal acts, you are doing no good when you do that, when you do that criminals are happy to see when they make the news, they are happy to see people hurt by their actions, they feel they become marketable.”
Meanwhile CEO of the St Francis Community Developers which partnered with the police to host the event, stated that “I have the honor of working with the Guyana Police Force on a daily basis and I can say that I have been exposed to the fact that young men and women put their lives on the line so that we can sleep in peace and comfort”.
He was also very critical of the media and the work they do throughout Guyana, stressing that more investigative journalism should be done by Journalists in Guyana.
61 ranks were awarded along with eight media personnel and several businesses.
