Acting Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken appealed today to the public to be more measured it its criticism of the Guyana Police Force, noting that public perceptions play a big role in the Force’s morale.

Speaking during the Guyana Police Force’s 185th anniversary symposium this morning, Mr. Hicken said, while the Guyana Police Force is not a perfect organization, it continues to make positive strides.

He acknowledged that there are mistakes being made, but said that the public can help the Force when those mistakes are made by making critical suggestions, rather than by attacking the Force, its leaders and junior ranks.

“Criticisms is necessary for a developing organization like the Guyana Police Force in terms of creating an evolution to be compatible to what is going on in the global sphere. We cannot work in isolation, and so, if you are to criticize, we can be more constructive, we are all children of Guyana and so when you speak to us speak to us like a brother or family, I think if we start breaking those barriers, we are going to start doing better,” Mr. Hicken appealed.

Mr. Hicken said the Force is actively working to change its outlook and to come up to speed with modernization. 

He explained that many things will be done differently, and in the process, mistakes will be made, but those mistakes should not define the Force and its core values, he pleaded.

“Nothing is wrong with ventilating when there are issues within our organization, it is not what is done, but how it is done, and the same critical analysis you’re doing for the police force, please praise us when we are making efforts,” Hicken posited.

Equally, Mr. Hicken said, the Police Force has been doing some good work in terms of reducing the country’s crime rate and its work must be commended.

“Praise us when are doing good, and praise us for maintaining peaceful communities, because incrementally, we are doing well in terms of our crime statistics. Tools will always be a problem in terms of capacity, but we are maximising what we have and of course, we should be kudos for that,” Hicken said.

The Acting Top Cop said there will be a gradual shift in the operation of the Force, which will be to the betterment of the Force and its members.

He said the Guyana Police Force is maintaining an online presence to deal with issues that may arise on social media, which is one the strategies being employed to boost its capacity.

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