Eighty-five law enforcers were awarded at a ceremony held at the Central Police Station, New Amsterdam for ‘B’ Division police officers on Friday last.

Detective Inspector Terrence Paul stationed at Whim Police Station received the ‘Best Cop’ award. The other awardees included Neighbourhood Police officers, members of the Community Policing Groups and Rural Constables.

Commander of ‘B’ Division, Clinton Conway said the total awards handed out amounted to over $600,000 this year. The ‘B’ Division Awards Ceremony started three years ago. Conway said the awarding of officers who do an excellent job will continue and he added that whenever they performed well they would be awarded on the spot.

Paul, who is also in charge of crime fighting on the Corentyne, has worked in all the subdivisions in Berbice. He started his career at the Fort Wellington Police Station and was successful in breaking up a notorious gang that operated out of Bath Settlement. The leader of the gang was shot dead during a confrontation with police on the East Coast.

Shortly after his transfer to the New Amsterdam station, “the most dangerous gang in Berbice” was destroyed. A member of that gang was shot dead during an attempt robbery at Gangoo Creek while three of his accomplices were arrested and charged.

In July this year, Paul moved to the Whim Police Station and shortly after a gang at Rose Hall and another at Whim that carried out attacks on families at Lancaster and Bengal were busted. Paul told Stabroek News that after the gangs were destroyed there were hardly any armed robberies in those areas.

He also said there was a vibrant gang that operated out of Springlands but because of intense efforts by the ranks to find them, members moved to Georgetown.

Asked about his good work, he told this newspaper modestly, “We are trying our best and I am glad that we are showing some progress. I hope to keep it that way and do even better.”