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Hicken appointed top cop
…five deputy commissioners sworn-in
Kaieteur News- President Irfaan Ali on Thursday set aside conventions and appointed Clifton Hicken as Commissioner of Police although he has passed the age of retirement and is being kept on as head of a force besieged by allegations of corruption.
The issue of whether Hicken could have been still appointed to the top post within the Guyana Police Force had been fiercely debated in the press, but government has maintained that they saw nothing wrong with doing it. In addition to Hicken, President Ali also appointed Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum, Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) Head Fazil Karimbaksh, Assistant Commissioners of Police Ravindradat Budhram and Errol Watts and Simon McBean, Commander for Region Four as deputy commissioners.
President Ali, during the ceremony, expressed high expectations for the newly appointed leaders. He emphasised the critical importance of unity, respect, and professionalism in the execution of duties, stating that the success of the police force hinges on the collective strength of its leadership and officers. “The prosperity of every country lies in the bosom of the security of the nation,” said President Ali. “Today we have men and women including the Director of CANU, (Director of Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit, James Singh) who is here, who are placed in position of leadership in the security architecture of our country to execute their responsibility in a manner that will build, uphold, and extend public trust,” he added.
President Irfaan Ali, along with Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn and Newly appointed commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken and Deputy Commissioners (right) (Screenshot from President Irfaan Ali Facebook page)
The President further called on the Police Force to act as a cohesive body, working together to achieve the goals set forth by the Constitution and the people of Guyana. He stressed that the fight against crime requires both strategic planning and operational efficiency, which the new leadership team is expected to provide. “I expect the leadership of the Guyana Police Force and all the men and women who constitute this body of service to our country to act together in unison. In upholding our constitution, protecting our laws, protecting the people of our country,” he said.
As part of his address, President Ali highlighted the recent successes of the Guyana Police Force, noting that the country’s crime detection and solving rates are among the best in the region. He acknowledged that while the police force is a central component of national security, its success depends on the collaboration with other arms of government and continued modernisation of operations.
“When you look at our operation efficiency, when you look at our training, modernising the force, the strategic direction, the strategic planning is in keeping with what the economy is evolving into but more importantly, it is in keeping with what is expected of Guyana in this region,” The Head of State related. As Guyana continues to evolve as a nation, Ali emphasised that the leadership of the Guyana Police Force will play a crucial role in ensuring that its security architecture remains robust, responsive, and trusted by all.
(Hicken appointed top cop)
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