$112M in prizes for over 5,000 Police Officers

The Guyana Police Force on Friday awarded over 5,000 ranks from across the country with various monetary prizes amounting to $112 million. The prizes were distributed at an Annual Awards Ceremony in commemoration of the Force’s 185th Anniversary.

The event was held at the Police Officers’ Mess Annexe, Young Street, Georgetown in recognition of the commitment of Police Officers across the nation.

The awards doled out were for outstanding work done.

Ranks, acting on information, visited an area in Port Kaituma where they intercepted a semi-submersible vessel. They received an award of $190,000.

Ranks, acting on information, went to Gravel Creek, Port Kaituma, where they intercepted a go-fast vessel, recovered several drones, binoculars, torchlights, and cellular phones among others. They were awarded $285,000.

An amount of $220,000 was awarded to ranks for arresting a suspect with a quantity of narcotics and stolen articles as a result of a robbery. The suspects were arrested and charged.

Inspector Rameshwar received an awarded amount of $1.3M on behalf of the Force’s Information Technology Department.

Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken, in his address, acknowledged the “daily challenges” faced by ranks “in maintaining law and order,” and commended the officers for “exceeding standards” and “expectations.”

Hicken declared that there has been a reduction in serious crime thanks to the contribution from 361 community policing groups across the regional divisions. He noted that the Force is “undergoing a transformative phase marked by revitalisation and enhancement of our police methodologies.”

The Commissioner also mentioned that the Force is “heavily invested” in its ranks as sponsorships and more than 1,000 scholarships were provided with a few hundred ranks participating in local and overseas courses and programs. Further, through the Police Force’s pursuit for academic excellence, its Police Academy was recently recognised as an internationally- accredited institution.

In his closing remarks, Hicken asked the general public to support their children as law enforcement officers by understanding the danger they face and the sacrifice they are making by encouraging them to do better for a conducive atmosphere where everyone can achieve their full potential.

Also present at the ceremony was Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn.

He stated that the Guyana Police Force represents the people of Guyana and hopes that the investment into infrastructure and equipment will commensurate with the progress being made.

Minister Benn encouraged ranks to keep focused on integrity and improvement both at the personal and professional levels.

In closing he mentioned that ranks have to “improve at making and keeping the peace” and implored them to have police stations be “a welcoming environment for people even if they’ve done bad things.”

The awards were given out by Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, Permanent Secretary, Mr. Andre Ally, and other senior officers within the Guyana Police Force.

The Special Awardees included ranks from all regional divisions, Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, Communications Branch/Information Technology Department, Quartermaster Store, Special Weapons and Tactics Unit, and Strategic Planning Unit, among others.