Commissioner of Police (ag) Clifton Hicken on Thursday read the proverbial “riot act” to junior officers of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) as he reminded them of their roles and responsibilities outlined in the Standing Orders and charged them to work towards changing the public perception of the force.
“I am not going to ask you to do anything outside the realm or scope of your work…you will be judged based on your performance,” Hicken told them during a meeting held on Thursday.
According to a release from the GPF, Hicken gave the officers a “comprehensive” charge and “strict” mandate to “serve and protect” and change the “negative image” and “perception” the public have of the force.
The release added that he also told the junior officers that it is imperative for them to understand that change is necessary as the force’s administration tries to create an atmosphere that will aid the improvement of service delivery to the public. “We’ve got to identify the gaps and we’re going to fill those gaps as a collective. I want to remind you that the chain is as strong as its weakest link, and so you’re going to complement each other in terms of knowledge and experience,” the release quoted Hicken saying.
He further told them that they are going to be an “integral” part of the development process. “You’re going to be part of the decision-making process at every level. It becomes qualitative because the structures implemented will be administered, hence the change starts with you,” Hicken added.
The vision, Hicken said, is to ensure that it is more qualitative rather than quantitative and this will be achieved through the implementation of the strategic plan.
Additionally, he also addressed the laissez-faire attitude exhibited by some junior officers, while reminding them that they will be promoted based on their performance.
The release stated that Hicken also alluded to the Force’s Strategic Plan 2022-2026, which speaks to operations, infrastructure, developing the people, performance, partnership, professionalism and accountability.
To this end, he reminded the officers that in providing the service as mandated by the GPF, reports and occurrences must be followed up by giving victims a feedback on the status-quo of the investigations.
Among those present at the meeting which was held at the Police Officers’ Training Centre, Camp Street, Georgetown were Cadet Officers, Assistant Superintendents and Deputy Superintendents, many of whom are Sub-Divisional Officers, Divisional Detective Officers and Officers-in-Charge of traffic in the country’s 12 policing divisions.
Since taking up office, Hicken has held meeting with various ranks of the force. Over the past two weeks, he met with the Sergeants, Inspectors, Divisional Commanders as well as heads of department and branch commanders.
