–disburses $11.9 in awards to ranks at annual awards ceremony
THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) yesterday held its awards ceremony for 2011 at the Drill Square of the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) at Force Headquarters, Eve Leary, Kingston Georgetown, and $11.9M in cash incentives were paid out to ranks who were recognized for their sterling performances.

Awards
The Best Cop award was given to Inspector Alexander of ‘E&F’ Division, who received a plaque and $250,000 in cash from the GPF. He also received from Roraima Airways’ Chief Executive, Captain Gerry Gouveia, the gift of a dinner for two at Duke Lodge and a trip for two to Arrowpoint Resort.
The Best Cop Runner-up award was given to Inspector Jermaine Harper of ‘D’ Division. He received a plaque and $200,000.
The Best Divisional Cops awards were given to the following personnel: Deputy Superintendent Parsram of Headquarters Division; Corporal Cosbert of ‘A’ Division; Woman Lance Corporal Kaden of ‘B’ Division; ‘C’ Division is Corporal Ross of ‘C’ Division; Inspector Harper of ‘D’ Division; Inspector Alexander of ‘E&F’ Division; and Sergeant English of ‘G’ Division. They were each awarded a plaque and $150,000.
For the Sports Awards 2011, Lance Corporal George was adjudged Sportsman of the Year. His performances have qualified him to participate in the 2012 Olympics.   
Sportswoman of the Year award was given to Woman Corporal Alder. Sergeant Mingo of Bartica has been adjudged Male Sports Personality of the Year, whilst the Female Sports Personality of the Year title was awarded to Special Sergeant Phillips. Each sports personality received various sums of money and a trophy.
In addition, Best Cop Inspector Alexander; Best Cop Runner-up Harper; Sportsman of the Year, Lance Corporal George; and Sportswoman of the Year, Corporal Alder were each awarded $50,000 by Police Commissioner Henry Greene.
Greene also promoted Traffic Policewoman Kaden from Constable to Lance Corporal; and Sportsman of the Year, Constable George, from Constable to Lance Corporal as well.
A total of 57 members of Community Policing Groups (CPG) and individuals also received commendations, trophies and cash incentives for the recovery of unlicensed firearms, and for suppressing crimes in general.

Otherwise awarded
Top Cop Henry Greene disclosed that ranks who did not receive awards and commendations at the TSU Drill Square yesterday, especially those from interior and out-of-town locations and those who are engaged in the fight against drugs, received their cash incentives from their respective divisional offices, and from the Finance Office at Headquarters.
He stated that at this time of the year ranks look forward to be awarded for recognition of good performance in maintaining law and order and fighting against crime in general.
Greene said: “I am not saying that we don’t have concerns, we don’t have problems; but crime-wise, our performance has been good. We are presently one percent above last year as it relates to statistics, where we saw a rise then a downward trend coming along the year, because of the very good work that is going on with the police.”

Gangs
He noted that the GPF had also managed to dismantle several gangs that had been marauding across this country. These include the Rondell Rawlins (Fineman), Colin Jones and Cobra gangs, and another gang which surfaced in Agricola.
Commissioner Greene stated that some men from those gangs have since died, while others have been arrested and placed before the courts, and some are still serving sentences.
As for the interior, Greene pointed out that the bandit, “Tattoo”, who had carried out many armed robberies, was killed this year, and there is a possibility that a group of men, numbering about three, has been formed and are operating in the Matthews Ridge, North West District, where they have robbed several miners, and committed two recent murders.

Murders
Giving statistics, Commissioner Greene said that, for this year, 130 murders have been recorded, as against 132 for the same period in 2010.
He added that there is a recognizably high incidence of disorderly and domestic-related murders in the interior, which totalled 30 so far.
Greene indicated that there have been 39 murders this year alone, 30 of which been disorderly and domestic-related. He said that miners visit landings and engage in drinking sprees, resulting in prostitution and brawls. The 79 domestic-related murders occurred in homes.
Under control
He said that the police have robbery-under-arms under control. The total incidence of this crime for this year so far has been 118, as against 105 such incidences for 2010; but he noted that robbers are now using other instruments, such as knives, in commission of robberies.

Traffic
Speaking about the traffic situation in Guyana, Greene told the gathering that, this year, 110 persons died in 99 road accidents; while, for the corresponding period in 2010, 111 deaths were recorded from 97 road accidents.

Tangible recognition
The Commissioner revealed that the awards programme started in 1990, and this year’s awards amounted to $11.9M. For July 2011 alone, the force paid out $8M to ranks to ensure that policemen and women are recognized for good work done.
He added that ranks of ‘A’ Division had their Annual Awards Ceremony on Tuesday at Brickdam Police Station. Three units from Headquarters division were awarded: Criminal Investigation Department HQ got $200,000; Tactical Services Unit got $500,000, and the Unit manned by a Deputy Superintendent received $250,000.