Commissioner of Police (ag), Clifton Hicken, summoned a meeting with the Guyana Police Force’s Regional Traffic Officers, including the Traffic Chief, to iron out issues that are hampering the effectiveness of traffic departments countrywide.
Among those in attendance were also Deputy Commissioner’ Administration’, Calvin Brutus, and Deputy Commissioner’ Operations’, Ravindradat Budhram.
The Guyana Police Force said the meeting that was held in the Top Cop’s Conference Room at Police Headquarters, Eve Leary, comes on the heels of the recent increase in fatal accidents, which as of the past two months, has seen 18 road deaths being recorded thus far for 2023.
During the “fiery” meeting today, Commissioner Hicken told the Traffic Officers present that the prevailing traffic lawlessness will not be allowed to continue by the Force’s hierarchy.
The Acting Top Cop upbraided them for their lapses and underperformances as well as the ranks under their command which has contributed to the issue. He warned, “There will be consequences for those who are underperforming… we must get this fixed… No haphazard behaviour would be tolerated.”
To ‘set the pace’ for improved traffic management countrywide, Top Cop Hicken gave instructions to traffic ranks to be stretched along the road corridors in order to slow down vehicles as a preventative method to curb speeding.
In addition, Hicken ordered that enforcement (traffic) must be done by day and by night. “Stopping motorists and asking for documents must be stopped unless the operation is being supervised by an Officer or an Inspector,” the Commissioner said.
Also, the Top Cop made it clear that traffic ranks should not be seen talking on the phone while directing traffic, amongst other things.
Along these lines, Mr Hicken encouraged the officers to use the Force’s resources (vehicles and bikes) when executing their duties. He urged them to “take the bull by its horn” to curb road fatalities and lawlessness on the roadways.
Prior to concluding the meeting, the Top Cop initiated the rotation of several of the traffic officers. This move ensures that all traffic officers remain active and up-to-date with the force’s traffic department operations within the various regions.
