COMMISSIONER of Police Clifton Hicken and members of the Guyana Police Force’s Executive Leadership Team (ELT), recently visited Regional Police Division Six, where they along with other key officials addressed officers and ranks.

It was reported by the GPF that during the meeting which was held at the division’s headquarters at Central Police Station in New Amsterdam, Berbice, Commissioner Hicken and Deputy Commissioners Ravindradat Budhram, Simon McBean and Wendell Blanhum, highlighted what is required of all members of the force in 2025 and beyond.

Delivering the feature address, the ‘Top Cop’ spoke of the force’s 2022-2026 Strategic Plan, stressing the importance of its pillars to the overall development of the GPF.

Commissioner Hicken, who has led the charge and has been pivotal in fostering better police-community relationships, urged the ranks to engage residents of the various communities.

He pointed out that partnerships with members of the communities play a crucial role in helping to reduce robberies, murders and thefts and in creating a safer environment for all.

“With [community] partnerships, you should not have any robbery, you shouldn’t have any murder [and] you shouldn’t have any thieving,” Commissioner Hicken posited.

“Police should not be staying at the stations no more. No less [sic] than two police[sic] in the Enquiries Office; everybody else should be in the streets, in the communities talking and interacting with people,” he emphasised.

As he did with the traffic and patrol ranks, the commissioner warned traffic ranks of Region Six to desist from stopping persons without their body cameras. He cautioned patrol ranks to desist from doing traffic work and to instead focus on looking for guns and drugs, and preventing crime.

Commissioner Hicken, while at the location, promoted two ranks, Constable James and Lance Corporal Ward, who now have the rank of corporal.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner McBean, during his addres, urged officers and ranks to embrace and make full use of the personal development opportunities and the technological advancement ongoing within the force. This, he stressed, will only make their policing lives easier.

He reiterated what is expected of all police ranks and alluded to optimum performance, professionalism and accountability, stating that without those qualities the Guyana Police Force cannot be a proud organisation.

Echoing Deputy Commissioner McBean’s remarks, Deputy Commissioner Budhram also spoke to the ranks and officers, highlighting that the Guyana Police Force is on the path of developing each and every willing member of the force.

He called on them to embrace the opportunities which are now available to every member, to develop themselves personally and professionally. This, he stated, is important to their advancement and upward mobility in the force, stressing the fact that development comes with discipline.

“Upward mobility is very important to you. Each and every person in this force must develop themselves [academically, to advance in their career as policemen/women],” he charged.

The Deputy Commissioner emphasised the need for collaboration and unity among police ranks and urged them to be a part of the solution, rather than abusing their authority as police officers.

Deputy Commissioner Blanhum urged the policemen and women of the region to be proactive in the fight against crime, saying, “It’s always better to prevent a crime than to detect it.” He called on the officers and ranks to ensure that justice reigns in the region.

“You are servants of the people. Justice should be for all,” he said, and further stated, “We all share a common mission and we all share a common motto which is to serve and protect.”