The Guyana Police Force yesterday awarded some of its members for stellar work and Tactical Services Unit (TSU) policeman Assistant Superintendent Lyndon Alves walked away with the Best Cop award.
Corporal Sherlock Houston of `A’ Division received the runner-up trophy.
Commendations and Awards were also given to several other police officers and community policing groups.
`C’ Division was awarded $200,000 for keeping crime down in that area, TSU $300,000 and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) received $200,000.
`A’ Division will receive their cash incentive for their efforts and commitment to the task of crime fighting later this month when they hold their award ceremony.
Awards were also given out to the Force’s outstanding sports performers.
Doreen Glasgow, the mother of Police Constable Oslyn Travis Glasgow who was killed after he and a team of officers from the Whim Police Station confronted three heavily-armed pirates received the Commissioner’s Medal of Honour for his bravery.
During this annual award ceremony which was held at the Police Officers’ Mess Annexe, Eve Leary, Acting Police Commissioner Henry Greene urged the ranks to continue to work hard to ensure that the country is a safe place for all citizens.
Greene pointed out that due to financial constraints the Force is sometimes unable to honour all those ranks who have worked beyond the normal call of duty but stressed that every effort is made to have as many as possible.
“Today is our day of celebration. Our time when we recognize those members of the force, who have been working tirelessly to ensure that Guyana is a safe place”, he added, pointing out that when ranks work hard they need to be recognised and honoured.
In thanking the public for its support, Greene said that sometimes criminals are walking around freely because persons do not lend the type of support that is needed.
Citing two recent vigilante cases – Soesdyke and East La Penitence – Greene told those gathered that citizens should not take the law into their own hands but allow the police to do their work.
“I have no doubt that sometimes you go to the station and you do not get the support that you looking for, for so many reasons. But don’t let that frustration lead you to the point where you are going to execute persons and act unlawfully”, Greene added.
The Commissioner referred to the Force as one station and said that persons can make a report at any station and the ranks there have to take it and transfer that information to the relevant station.
“It is disgusting to see at this day and age police still telling people they are at the wrong station… total nonsense and I call on members of the public to report those persons who are doing that”.
Another area of concern, he said, is ranks taking money from persons for traffic offences so as not to allow the matter to reach the courts.
“I say to you, we will continue to take condign action. Once you are caught, whoever those policemen are they will be dealt with condignly. I had two reports last weekend of policemen demanding large sums of money for traffic offences. I don’t understand why the public continue to do that”, Greene said.