Acting Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken today reported to the Annual Police Officers’ Conference that serious crimes in Guyana have fallen by 8.4%, but he noted that the country continues to struggle to keep its roads safe, as there has been a 7% increase in road fatalities.

“Last year, we managed to have a 19.5% decrease in serious crimes. We are currently enjoying an 8.4% decrease in serious crimes. Despite the challenges, in the traffic, while we have an increase of 7% in fatalities, we still manage to have, overall, a decrease of 10%,” the acting Police Commissioner said.

He linked the decrease in serious crimes to the continuous implementation of the Police Force’s strategic plan, which he said is consistent with the national security’s objectives of having fewer crimes recorded to allow for safer communities.  

The plan, he noted, is governed by operations, partnership, human development, infrastructure, performance and professionalism and accountability.

In keeping with its objective of maintaining a safe and peaceful country, the Top Cop reported that the Police Force has removed 51 illegal firearms off of the country’s streets, and has seized 604 kilograms of cannabis, 928 grams of cocaine and 61.2 grams of ecstasy.

The Commissioner also reported that 21 Police ranks are before the Courts for a range of criminal offences. Commissioner Hicken said corrupted officers are among the challenges facing the Police Force.

 “Currently, we have 21 police ranks are before the Courts, who are charged criminally. The negative social media influence, substance abuse, language barrier, gender-based violence, lack of comprehensive structure in terms of response within the mining district, transnational crime, cyber threat, narco trafficking, illegal migration, porous borders, and increase, very importantly, in mental health issues as it relates to crimes among others,” the acting Police Commissioner detailed.

Mr. Hicken said the Police Force has been working closely with communities, triggering a 26% increase in Community Policing Groups with some 286 CPGs now in existence.

Youth Groups aligned to the Guyana Police Force have also increased by 15%, with some 65 groups operational.

He said the numbers tell a story of the police working closely with the community to build its capacity and have safer communities.

The Police Officers’ Conference comes to an end on Saturday.

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