THE Guyana Police Force ‘E’ Division (Upper Demerara – Upper Berbice) has introduced bicycle patrols with the aim of helping foster good police public relations for fighting crime. The navy blue t-shirt and short pants uniforms are now worn by the 10 bicycle ranks; 5 of whom are posted at Mackenzie, 2 at Amelia’s Ward and 3 at Wismar. They will be operating during the day.

E’ Division Commander, Anthony Vanderhyden, said that the initiative is a new one for Linden and has proven to be very effective thus far. “It’s a change for the Division, where we look at back up our discipline with members of the public, it’s a new-look so we can have that partnership with members of the public when we are able to deal with crime.”

The ranks will be tackling minor related crimes in all departments; traffic, CID, narcotics etc. “Let us say for instance there is a fight or a brawl or whatever, they are able to do the initial stage of those things,” Vanderhyden said. The motorcar and three wheel patrols will be on standby to assist the bicycle ranks whenever situations get out of hand. They will communicate with radio sets with which they were furnished. “Very effective in the commercial bus and hire car area, they are able to deal with situations on the spot, congestions, accepting of reports and dealing with anything more than them, they would make contact with the main station, they are very effective,” he said.

Commander Anthony Vanderhyden was posted to E’ Division on the 19th February and he promised to do all in his power to keep the crime rate low in the Division. One of his strategies is to develop a good rapport with residents and stakeholders.