POLICE Inspector Jermaine Johnson was named the Guyana Police Force Best Police Officer for 2014 at the annual police awards ceremony held at the Tactical Service drill square on Wednesday.

Johnson, who is attached to the Information Technology Department, is responsible for the overall management of the data centre. He joined the force as a constable at the age of 18 in 1992 and worked his way up to his present rank, serving first in the communications department and later being transferred to the IT department when it was established in 2008.
Among his responsibilities are the management of the border management system, automatic finger printing system, advanced information system, local network and the technical programming of the force’s radio system.
He received his certification in information technology from internationally recognised institutions in Russia, Trinidad and other places.

REWARDS
Johnson was also rewarded $150,000 as the best divisional cop while for his achievement of being overall best cop for 2014, he received $250,000 from the Guyana Police Force. Moreover, Private Sector Commission member, Captain Gerry Gouveia rewarded the cop with a trophy and a trip for two to either Aruba or the United States.
Meanwhile, Cadet Officer Jermine Dufu of the Police ‘B’ Division achieved the second runner-up award for Best Cop 2014. For that achievement he received $200,000, a plaque and a trip to an overseas destination. Dufu has been serving the force for the past five years.
Other ranks were awarded for their exceptional performance in the areas of gun and ammunition seizures, successful prosecutions, general effective policing and skillful investigations into murders, carjacking and other offences.
The Guyana Police Force has expended $13.5 million in awards and incentives as part of its Annual Awards Ceremony, compared to $12.3 million which was handed out in July this year at the Police Anniversary Awards ceremony.

(By Leroy Smith)