Known to credit officers for exemplary work in law enforcement, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) yesterday went one step further in honoring four officers for their stellar contributions in the sports arena.
At a presentation ceremony held at the Office of the Commissioner of Police, Eve Leary, the GPF gave tangible acknowledgment to Constable Ray Sandiford and Corporal Randolph Morgan for their performances in the Central America and the Caribbean (CAC) Games.
Lance Corporals Carey Bookie and Patrina Nicholson were also commended for the roles they have played in the development of sports in the force.
Sandiford was among six boxers who represented Guyana at the CAC Games in Puerto Rico and was one of two Guyanese boxers to earn a medal at the event. Sandiford, contesting in the featherweight division, earned himself a bronze medal. The GPF awarded him a commemorative plaque and $150,000.
Morgan was awarded an honorary plaque and $200,000 for his performance in the inaugural CAC Power-lifting Championships and the concurrent 8th International Power-lifting Federation (IPF)/North American Power-lifting Federation (NAPF) North American Regional Power-lifting Championships, both of which were held in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.
Bookie, who is the head of the Physical Education Department of the GPF, was commended for his work towards improving the physical skills of the force and the impact on their work in the field.
Nicholson was recognized for her performance at the GPF’s annual gymkhana. The two were promoted to Lance Corporals at the recently held gymkhana.
Commissioner of Police Henry Green commended the four officers for their work which he said helps to highlight the softer side of the GPF.
He said this would remind the public that while they are charged with such a paramount task as public safety they are also humans.
The commissioner also said that following Sandiford’s admission to the force earlier this year the sport of boxing was resuscitated. So far there have been two fight nights at the Tactical Services Unit Square and it is expected that more such events will be held.
The commissioner said he was perplexed that Sandiford, a national champion, was omitted by the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) from the contingent scheduled to represent Guyana at the Common-wealth Games (CG) to be held from October 4 – 16 in New Delhi, India.
Last month when the Guyana Olympic Association disclosed the list of representatives expected to attend the CG, it was reported that the GABA had excluded Sandiford from the team because of indiscipline. Greene called on GABA for full disclosure.
“In a hard fought competition he was able to win himself a bronze medal and we think that he has done excellently, so we were saddened that we learned that he was reprimanded and suspended by the GABA, after he was taken in front of a panel. We asked to see a copy of the allegations that were held against him, but we haven’t gotten anything,” Greene said.
“We feel strongly that someone should take up the case, the principles of natural justice demand that. So we call on those responsible to look at this problem and review it so that this young man can continue to earn medals.”
