Hicken warns Sergeants against accepting bribes

A strong warning against corruption took centre stage on Wednesday with Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken making it clear that bribery within the Force will not be tolerated.

Addressing ranks gathered at the opening of the Guyana Police Force Sergeants’ Conference, Hicken bluntly told those gathered that corruption is a two-way act and must come to an immediate end.

“Sergeants… if you become corrupt, it is because it have a giver and you are the receiver,” Hicken said.

He stressed that Sergeants must refuse bribes and take firm action against those attempting to undermine the law.

“As of today, stop receiving and persons must be charged when it comes to bribing the Police. I am making myself very clear or else other things will happen,” Hicken warned.

The Police Commissioner underscored that Sergeants play a critical supervisory role and are responsible for setting the standard within stations and units across the country. He reminded them that public trust hinges on their conduct.

“Sergeants, you are ambassadors of the Guyana Police Force…You are the front line leaders of this noble organisation.

You set the tone at stations, on patrol, in traffic enforcement, during investigations and community engagement,” he said.

Hicken noted that while structural reforms are ongoing within the Force, those measures will only be effective if discipline and accountability are enforced at the supervisory level.

“Reforms provide the framework, but it is discipline and supervision at your level to ensure the operational efficiency,” he said.

Hicken remarks signal a renewed push by the Force to clamp down on internal misconduct and restore confidence in law enforcement, particularly amid longstanding public concerns about bribery and accountability.