Detective Assistant Superintendent Mitchell Novar Caesar, who believes that he has been living his dream for the past 25 years since he joined the Guyana Police Force, was recently awarded as first runner-up Caribbean Crime Fighter of the year.
Caesar, known for spearheading the investigation of numerous high-profiles crimes, was among several other law enforcement officers from around the Caribbean who were recognized by the Amalgamated Security Services Limited in collaboration with the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police (ACCP) for their outstanding work earlier this month in Aruba.
The event recognized nine police officers from member countries of the ACCP, with awards for Top Caribbean Community Policing Officer, Top Caribbean Crime Fighter and Top Caribbean Career Move.
Superintendent Mc Donald Jacob of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service was awarded Top Caribbean Crime Fighter. As runner-up, Caesar received an all-expenses-paid roundtrip to Aruba and a trophy.
The annual programme recognizes police officers who have contributed significantly to crime reduction, enhancing community relations with public law enforcement, improving general safety and security and who have made an overall difference in their police forces, communities and by extension nationally and regionally.
In a recent interview with the Sunday Stabroek, the 42-year-old Parika, East Bank Essequibo resident said he owed his success to his family and colleagues especially Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum. “In all my policing career, it’s the word commitment that has brought me thus far,” he said.
Caesar joined the Guyana Police Force in February 1992, as a constable. Three years later he was inducted into the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) where he is currently the lead investigator and the head of the Major Crimes Unit. Caesar is also pursuing a Degree in Criminology at the University of Guyana.
He said growing up as a child, he always aspired to be a policeman and today he is committed to sharing his experience and knowledge with his colleagues.
Over the last two years, Caesar participated in various training programmes such as the Major Case Management Training Course, Interpol’s Introduction to the Human Trafficking Phenomenon in Jamaica, and Gang Intelligence, Investigations and Prosecutions in Trinidad.
He has also given several lectures during local training programmes, thus imparting his vast knowledge and experience of criminal investigations.
His contributions and devotion to his profession have seen several gangs which involved high-profile criminals dismantled and persons charged.
He has also led several operations throughout Guyana during which a number of firearms, ammunition, drugs and stolen articles were recovered.
Within the last two years also, Caesar has spearheaded several investigations and has reopened several cold cases in which persons have since been charged and placed before the courts.
Among those cases were the murders of Babita Sarjou, Neesa Gopaul, Sterling Products security guard Wilfred Stewart, political activist Courtney Crum-Ewing, Ganesh Ramlall, British teenager Dominic Bernard, Fiayaz Narinedatt, Samantha Benjamin and the Robb Street fire which claimed the lives of a father and his two daughters. He has also solved numerous armed robberies.
Caesar took the opportunity during the interview to encourage young people to eliminate the word “greed” from their minds. According to him, this is the main factor which contributes to their involvement in criminal activities.
He said, “There are two words as it relates to this: needs and wants and the youngsters are caught up in wants.” He noted that once this is the situation there will always be problems.
“The police force has changed over the years and we believe in doing our duties in a professional manner especially here at the Major Crimes Unit; especially when it comes to conducting interviews,” he said.
“This is very important… The way we conduct ourselves, the level of professionalism is key,” he added. “Every day, every case, even if it means us losing because at the end of the day you will lose being professional,” Caesar said.
He also related that being part of the force and studying was not easy since both call for equal attention. “Some of us would pay more attention to the classes, or some to the work but in my situation I can’t afford to do that… I have to put my best in both,” he explained.
He encouraged his fellow police officers that in order to be successful they have to stay committed.
