Top Cop warns police will take tougher action against traffic offenders

By: Whitney Persaud –

Declaring that the traffic situation in Guyana is terrible, acting Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell said the force will be taking firm actions against reckless and drunk drivers. He was at the time addressing the force’s annual awards ceremony at the Tactical Services Unit Drill Square, Eve Leary, Georgetown. Brumell said there has been a 30 per cent increase in accidents and deaths this year. The annual awards ceremony for the Guyana Police Force began in 1990 and has trended until now.

Officers would usually receive sizeable amount of cash incentives and commendations for their hard work all year round. A number of ranks and community policing groups were also awarded.
Last year, there were some 43 fatal accidents and 45 deaths; this year for the same period, 56 accidents and 59 deaths have been recorded.
The commissioner said that the force will be taking strict actions against traffic offenders so as to lessen the number of road fatalities and accidents caused by reckless and drunk drivers.
“People won’t always be satisfied with what we are doing and there will always be encumbrances and people call it harassment when the ranks decide to do their jobs, but with this hike in accidents and deaths, I have already informed the traffic chief and ranks that we must be rigid,” Brumell said.
The commissioner warned that strict enforcement will be meted out to those persons who are engaged illegally or add to the increasing number of deaths and accidents.
“When you do this, you hear harassment, if that’s the way then we will bring it, but we are not calling it harassment, we are calling it firm investigation and interrogation… the situation on the road is terrible,” the commissioner said.
Firm investigation
Meanwhile, turning his attention to the crime situation, Brumell acknowledged that crime is high, but in most of the gun-related robberies, there is the element of an inside link.

Speaking to the recent hike in gun-related robberies and specifically the Akbar Auto Sales incident, Brumell said investigations have most times proven that someone from within the organisation initiated the robbery.
He said that a number of these criminals might have been in collusion with staff members, and urged business owners and managers to be more aware of the happenings in the work place.
Inclusive effort
He contended that crime is an issue around the world and it cannot be stopped, but the Guyana Police Force can implement strategies to suppress crimes. He said although the force is the leading crime fighting agency in the country, the citizenry and business community are expected to render their support as the force cannot do everything on its own.
Brumell urged the ranks to be professional at all times, noting that it is always wise not to use more force than necessary.
The commissioner charged the officers to keep up the good work and stick to firm investigative work and interrogation techniques when carrying out their responsibilities.