A TOTAL of 1,316 ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) benefitted from local and international training programmes this year and Commissioner of Police (ag), Nigel Hoppie has reiterated his expectation for law-enforcement officers to act with the highest level of professionalism.

The commissioner was at the time speaking at the Annual Award Ceremony on Thursday at the Police Officers’ Mess Annexe, Eve Leary, where 2,997 ranks were awarded with more $23M in cash and other incentives for their outstanding work and dedication to service.
Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, only a few of the ranks were present to receive their awards. In his featured address, Commissioner Hoppie charged the ranks to be professional when dealing with members of the public.

Recognising the challenges ranks face, Hoppie acknowledged that overall, their performance has been creditable.
“This year [has been] one with challenges and experiences for the Police Force; however, despite these challenges and experiences, the force has performed creditably in spite of some unsavory incidents, and has been able to maintain a safe and secure environment within the country. We are aware that more needs to be done, but we are also aware that we have prevailed,” the top cop said.

Further, Hoppie acknowledged that it is always difficult to recognise few from many, but emphasised that earnest recognition must at all times be given to the work of the many.
Emerging from the group of awardees for overall Best Cop was Woman Detective Sergeant Melanie Hale from Region Number 4 ‘A’ for being instrumental in solving several high-profile murders and for arrests and charges in other criminal matters.

As part of her recognition, Woman Detective Sergeant 20846 Melanie Hale received a plaque and a trophy, $250,000 from the GPF, a trip to the Kaieteur Falls from the Roraima Group of Companies and a sum of $150,000 from Queensway Security Service Inc.

Sergeant Melanie Hale thanked the force’s administration for recognising her efforts and highlighted her award as a sign of gender equality of the Guyana Police Force.
“It shows clearly that there is gender equality in the Guyana Police Force and it is evident that women can be just as disciplined, efficient, hardworking, professional and above all productive as their male counterparts in the field of law enforcement,” she noted.

Officers from all 10 administrative regions were also awarded with plaques and monies for their exceptional work in crime-fighting, anti-narcotics exercises, traffic control and for enhancing the safety of their communities in which they serve.

The runner-up prize went to Detective Sergeant 20310 Leon George, who has been a member of the force for the past 13 years and is attached to the Criminal Investigations Department at the Golden Grove Police Station.

He was instrumental in solving a number of robberies, murders; narcotics seizures and also in dismantling a ring of persons who were involved in the theft of motor cars. He received a plaque, $200,000 and also $100,000 from Queensway Security Service Inc.

Also present at the ceremony were Deputy Commissioner Operations (ag), Clifton Hicken; Public Relations and Press Officer, Assistant Commissioner Royston Andries-Junor; Deputy Commissioner Administration (ag), Calvin Brutus; Deputy Commission Law Enforcement (ag), Wendell Blanhum; Captain Gerry Gouveia, National Security Adviser to the President; Mohamed Arafat Qualander, Treasurer, GPF Fallen Heroes Foundation Inc.