THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) took the streets by storm on Mash Day after a 15-year hiatus winning the large category semi-costume competition.The GPF collaborated with several youth groups from its ‘A’ Division which encompasses the city of Georgetown and the East Bank of the Demerara River including the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, at Timehri, some 25 miles from Georgetown.

‘A’ Division Commander and Assistant Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken spoke with the Guyana Chronicle and explained that he took the initiative of having a Mash band participate in the 2015 Mashramani celebrations to the acting Commissioner of Police (CoP) Seelall Persaud. The commander added that with some explanation and assurances, the idea was given wings with the commissioner’s approval.
Hicken related that the band comprised members of several youth groups from within the boundaries of ‘A’ Division. He noted too that this collaboration forms a part of the new approach by the GPF, since they strive to have a better “Police-to-public partnership.”
The ‘A’ Division Commander disclosed how elated the division is to have been able to collaborate with these youths and make the dream a reality. “We are all very happy about winning, since we have not been participating for some years now,” he explained.
On February 14, several youth groups benefited from different items donated under the GPF umbrella, thanks to the success of the community-related approach to policing. Hicken at that event had confirmed that the police will be sponsoring the youth groups which fall under the command of ‘A’ Division. The police have been working with these groups for several months.