THE Guyana Police Force ‘A’ Division on Friday rewarded one of its most outstanding and hard-working Criminal Investigation Department ranks, Detective Corporal Derwin Eastman, as the ‘best cop’ of the division.Constable Kevin George of the Traffic Department was awarded the ‘runner-up best cop’ of the division.

As part of the incentive given for his hard and dedicated service, Eastman received one round trip to Aruba, one round trip to Curacao, one wrist watch, a dinner for two at Duke Lodge, a trip to Arrowpoint Nature Resort for two, and two mobile phones.
For this year, Eastman was able to make more than 300 arrests, which covered investigations into murder, possession of illegal weapons, cannabis, robberies, and break-and-enter offences.
Kevin George, who has five years of service within the Guyana Police Force (GPF), received $100,000, a wrist watch, a trip to Kaieteur Falls for two, dinner at Cara Lodge for two, a Smart television from Courts Guyana, and two wrapped gifts from National Hardware.
Thus far for the year, George has effected 825 cases and was able to issue 536 tickets for traffic offences — all of which have already been paid by the defaulting drivers.
In addition to the two high-flyers of the division, other senior and junior officers were rewarded with momentary and other gifts for their work in the areas of administration, management, crime-fighting, traffic duties, community liaison and community relations. Stakeholders who have been facilitating the police in the various communities were also rewarded.
‘A’ Division Commander, Assistant Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken, thanked the ranks for their hard work and dedicated service to the people of Guyana, and encouraged them to continue performing their duties in the best interest of the GPF and the nation.
He advised them to remember that, at all times, they need to be guided by the Standing Orders of the GPF.

DON’T BE DISCOURAGE
His message to the other ranks who were not rewarded was that they should not be discouraged, since everyone cannot be at the top of the ladder. He called on them to continue working hard and striving for the best position in the areas they work.
Hicken said it is his hope that, in the New Year, the division would work even harder to promote the Guyana Police Force’s community-related activities and social crime-prevention programmes. He also vowed to ensure that, once he is still in the division in the New Year, the work the division has been doing with the communities would be expanded.

The event was also graced by several senior officers of the GPF administration, including Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud.
The senior officers used the opportunity to serve their junior counterparts with meals, which were prepared by the division’s mess hall. Also present were various stakeholders, who have been working with the police and, more particularly, the division over the years.
Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud acknowledged that ‘A’ Division is the most highly tasked division in the country, and it delivers on its services to the people.
COMMENDATION
He admitted, too, that there are lots of demands on the division and its ranks, given the activities which take place within the division, and he commended the police serving within ‘A’ Division for being able to manage.
He spoke of additional resources which were pumped into the division last year, and said that will continue to be the case, as it is done on merit.

He also spoke of an additional 52 ranks who will be posted to the division in an effort to boost its performance under the Operation Dragnet, which is presently ongoing.

The top cop also welcomed the initiative of the Commander for striving to expand the social crime prevention programmes within the division, which would see additional communities within the division benefiting.
He stressed that the issues which continue to affect the division are three main ones: crime, traffic and noise nuisance, which add to or take away from the lives of ordinary law-abiding citizens.
The Commissioner said those issues will not just die away, but police ranks have got to work very hard to bring them under control and reduce the instances.
In closing, he gave the division a gift of $400,000 for its efforts during 2015, and encouraged the ranks to keep up the good work.
Photos by Leroy Smith