Newly promoted detectives told to brace for new challenges

Mar 10, 2025 News

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Kaieteur News- Deputy Commissioner Law Enforcement, Wendell Blanhum last week told a group of newly promoted detectives that they must brace themselves for greater challenges as they rise through the ranks of the Guyana Police Force.

Quoting Christian Horner, he said, “The higher you rise, the sharper the knives.”

The Crime Chief was speaking at the opening of a one-day training seminar on Saturday, which focused on three critical components of Guyana’s ongoing efforts to modernise its criminal justice system, tailored for his officers and ranks of the Criminal Investigation Department.

According to a press release by the police, Blanhum while urging his detectives to remain professional despite adversity, stated, “the more you climb the rank structure, the more authority and titles you possess –then the more likely you will be on the receiving end by those who envy you and want to see you fail. You will even endure betrayal from others, yes, just like Jesus Christ did. Much attention and scrutiny will be placed on you even negative attention and attacks by those who feel threatened or envied by your success, and they will go above and beyond to see you fail.”

The Deputy Commissioner ‘Law Enforcement’ further encouraged the ranks to remain steadfast and professional as they reach higher heights in the Guyana Police Force. “Stay the course, keep climbing with the aim of reaching the top of this noble organisation, and always remain professional even when you are dealing with those who wish for your downfall. Proverbs 14:30 expressly states that a heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. In other words, this biblical message is saying to us that envy is very destructive to one’s well-being, causing inner troubles and can potentially lead to ill health,” Deputy Commissioner Blanhum charged his detectives.

The seminar was conducted by the Guyana Police Force’s Junior Legal Advisor, Ms. Janet A. Ali, LL.B, L.E.C., Attorney-At-Law.  The seminar focused on three critical components of Guyana’s ongoing efforts to modernize its criminal justice system: the Needham’s Point Declaration on Criminal Justice Reform, the Criminal Law Procedure (Paper Committals) Act 2024, and the Criminal Procedure (Plea Discussion, Plea Agreement, and Assistance Agreement) Act 2024. The Needham’s Point Declaration is a comprehensive framework aimed at transforming the country’s criminal justice system. It emphasises a holistic approach to reform, focusing on policy and legislative interventions, prosecution, police practices, representation and support for the accused, victims’ rights, and judicial reforms.

The Declaration’s significance lies in its commitment to addressing systemic issues such as overcrowded prisons, lengthy trial delays, and rising crime rates by promoting rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders, enhancing victims’ rights, and improving judicial efficiency.

The Criminal Law Procedure (Paper Committals) Act 2024, enacted in Guyana, is a significant legislative development aimed at streamlining the criminal justice process. This Act replaces preliminary inquiries with paper committals, allowing for more efficient handling of cases by eliminating the need for lengthy oral testimonies during the preliminary stage. By doing so, it helps reduce case backlogs and accelerates the judicial process, aligning with the broader goals of the Needham’s Point Declaration to enhance efficiency and fairness in the justice system.

The Criminal Procedure (Plea Discussion, Plea Agreement, and Assistance Agreement) Act 2024 is another crucial piece of legislation that facilitates plea bargaining and cooperation agreements in Guyana. This Act enables defendants to negotiate plea agreements with prosecutors, potentially reducing trial times and promoting more efficient case resolution. It also allows for assistance agreements, where defendants may receive reduced sentences in exchange for cooperation with law enforcement, further aligning with the Declaration’s emphasis on efficient justice processes. The seminar also provided a comprehensive overview of these legal developments, equipping members of the GPF’S Criminal Investigation Department with the knowledge and tools necessary to effectively implement these reforms, the police release stated.

(Newly promoted detectives told to brace for new challenges)

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• Deputy Commissioner Law Enforcement, Guyana Police Force, Jesus Christ, Wendell Blanhum

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