IS it me or has the Guyana Police Force within the last two months solved a number of crimes which most likely would have been unsolved under the prior Government?

Against the backdrop of the remark that “crime was never out of control” from the Police Commissioner at a recent media briefing, it is indeed telling. Not only because of the comparison between a 15% reduction in crime at this time last year which is being used as the yardstick to measure current levels of crime, but because it seems that political interference as well as rogue elements in the Police Force tarnished the integrity of the Force’s intelligence and crime-fighting capacity.

Congratulations are in order to the Guyana Police Force. In the space of two months, the force has solved or made significant inroads into several high- profile crimes, notably the assassination of Courtney Crum-Ewing; the killing of Regent Multiplex Mall proprietor, Ganesh Ramlall; the robbery of M. Ali and Son Supermarket in Berbice; and the burglary and assault committed against a land court judge and her husband.

These are much-needed and welcomed signs that the Guyana Police Force minus political interference and with the right leadership can and has the capacity to solve crimes similar to those listed above. Now the Force has to work on its ability to prevent crime, in particular situational crime. Another facet that requires significant strengthening is solving white-collar crime, which usually involves well-known Guyanese elites and elite want-to-bees.

Keep up the good work ladies and gentleman of the Guyana Police Force and continue to grow from strength to strength in your duty to serve and protect.

MICHAEL ARCHER