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Georgetown, Guyana — Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Slowe has criticized the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) latest crime-fighting plan for Essequibo, Pomeroon-Supenaam, Region 2, describing it as unprofessional and lacking strategic forethought.
On his November 6, 2024, program Speaking Out: Exposing Corruption and Incompetence, Slowe aired video footage of Acting Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken instructing ranks in Essequibo to “lock up everybody” and “shake up the place.” Slowe condemned these remarks as indicative of a “fire brigade” approach that, he argued, lacks a coherent, community-centered crime-fighting strategy.
“What you saw there is the acting commissioner…saying to lock up, shake up the place, lock up everybody,” Slowe said, expressing concern about the apparent lack of due process in Hicken’s directive.
According to Slowe, Hicken’s order for an intensified police presence in the region, involving the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) in a week-long operation, would ultimately erode community trust. He referenced the high-profile case of Orin Boston killed in his bed during a past SWAT operation, warning that such “heavy-handed policing” risks escalating violence rather than preventing it.
Addressing the GPF’s current strategy, Slowe described Hicken’s plan as an example of reactionary policing, claiming it could lead to the “demoralization of the force.” He emphasized the need for well-prepared, evidence-driven responses that integrate community involvement instead of sudden crackdowns.
“You cannot deal with crime in that manner,” Slowe insisted, adding that a balanced, systematic approach was essential for effective law enforcement. He called Hicken’s strategy a “sad” reflection of current police practices, which he said could damage community relations and trust in law enforcement across Guyana.
Slowe demanded a more comprehensive crime-fighting plan that goes beyond short-term punitive actions, asserting that without strategic adjustments, “fire brigade” methods would do little to reduce crime in the long term.
