MANY motorists are pleased that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Anti-Crime Unit was banned last month from performing traffic-related duties following numerous complaints.

It was long observed that the lawmen were more interested in performing regular traffic duties rather than participating in more intelligence-led activities.
Members of the public were very disgruntled but now the regular traffic police have been performing traffic-related duties, including directing traffic on our roadways.
Last month this publication spoke to ‘A’ Divison Commander, Clifton Hicken who said that the duty of the members of the Anti-Crime Unit entails intelligence-led activities and so they are usually in groups of twos patrolling strategic locations in the city on motorcycles, in order to respond promptly to incidents of crimes.
Hicken had earlier indicated to this newspaper that the difference in their approach will soon be recognised, because they have been banned from executing regular traffic duties.

He said they can still stop and search any vehicle at any given time, but they are not supposed to make impromptu traffic stops asking motorists to produce their documents and so forth, as regular traffic ranks, whose duties entail all traffic-related issues.

The senior superintendent added that they are aware of what was happening and they have put measures in place. Those ranks on the GPF-issued motorcycles dressed in dark blue uniforms are members of a special unit set up to deal with crimes in specific areas of the city.

He said the ranks have since been thoroughly briefed on their duties and instructed not to participate in regular traffic duties.

It was long observed that members of the Anti-Crime Unit were harassing motorists on a daily basis, according to reports received by the top brass of the GPF, which prompted a meeting to effect a review of their operations.

Meanwhile, Crime Chief, Leslie James said if ranks of that unit are observed performing other duties instead of patrolling hotspots and engaging in intelligence-driven probes regarding crimes such as armed robberies, etc., they should be reported to the GPF for redress.