Hickens Calls for Hands on Policing at Inspector’s Conference
The Guyana Police Force on Wednesday concluded the first day of its annual Inspectors’ Conference with a series of detailed presentations focused on strengthening operations, intelligence gathering and modern policing practices.The two day conference, which opened earlier today at the Police Officers’ Mess Annexe, Eve Leary, brought together Inspectors from across the country under the theme, “Modern Policing for a Modern Nation: Integrating Technology and Leadership to Strengthen Public Safety and Trust.”During the day’s sessions, Head of the Special Branch, Senior Superintendent Prem Narine, delivered a presentation on intelligence led and data driven policing, outlining the growing role of strategic intelligence gathering and analytical tools in improving operational effectiveness and crime response.Superintendent Raun Clarke, Officer in Charge of Traffic Division 4 ‘A’, provided an overview of traffic operations along with projections aimed at strengthening road safety enforcement, while Superintendent Delon Fraser addressed case management systems, placing emphasis on the use of technology to improve investigative efficiency and case tracking.The day’s proceedings ended with a presentation by Deputy Commissioner responsible for Operations, Errol Watts, who outlined the Force’s operational priorities and ongoing progress in infrastructure expansion and resource management across divisions.Earlier in the day, Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken challenged Inspectors to adopt a more hands on leadership approach and provide stronger supervision and guidance to ranks under their command.Addressing the opening of the conference, Hicken said the Force is entering what he described as a new era of policing, supported by active succession planning and the continued implementation of strategic reforms.He noted that policing methods must evolve alongside the rapid social and economic transformation taking place across the country.“The responsibility begins with your leadership. You are the link between policy and practice. At your level, policy becomes action and standards become habit,” the Commissioner told participants, adding that Inspectors play a direct role in shaping discipline, operational performance and public confidence in the institution.Hicken reminded officers that Inspectors serve as standard bearers and ambassadors of the Police Force, stressing that they are expected to remain operationally visible and accountable for the performance of stations and outposts under their supervision.“You are supposed to be on the road, supervising the sergeants and ranks under your command. Anything that happens at your station or outpost, you are responsible,” he warned.The Police Commissioner also pointed to progress under the Force’s 2022 to 2026 Strategic Plan, revealing that approximately 75 percent of the programme has already been implemented. He described the past five years as a period of significant structural reform within the organisation, citing advances in technology driven policing and road safety initiatives which he said are already producing results.The Inspectors’ Conference is scheduled to conclude on Thursday, February 26.
