Time for change in the Police Force

Jan 05, 2012 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
In most mature democracies like the United States of America and the United Kingdom, criminal suspects are clearly cautioned and informed of their rights. In most jurisdictions a police officer must have probable cause for detaining a citizen and must at that time so inform the individual of the reason for detaining them.
The “Miranda rights” as enshrined in US law created a set of guidelines that must be followed; the person in custody must prior to interrogation be clearly informed that he or she has the right to remain silent, be clearly informed that he or she has the right to consult an attorney and to have that attorney present during questioning, and that if he or she cannot afford an attorney, an attorney will be provided at no cost to her or him.
In England there are the Judges rules which provide for the arresting officer to first caution the person that he or she was entitled to remain silent, but anything they do or say would be taken down and used in evidence.
Suspects are treated with respect and are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. These are some of the best practices that professional police organizations instill in their members from day one, and are part of their standard operational practices (SOP).
Currently there is a video that is making the rounds on Facebook that shows a Constable of the Guyana Police Force kicking and stomping a defenceless man. The police officer continues this abuse for several minutes, oblivious to the cameras and the protests of the onlookers.
This type of misconduct is a direct reflection of policing standards in Guyana, and the leadership of the police force must take full responsibility for this breakdown in standards and the complete disregard for the rights of the individual. The constable in the video felt comfortable publicly abusing a citizen/suspect because he knew he could get away with it – there would be no consequences for his actions.
We have all witnessed so many instances of the abuse of power by police officers that nothing surprises anymore. That the Guyana Police Force has become a law onto itself, filled with many criminal elements who exact bribes, dispense street justice, protect and enforce for criminal elements, and in some instances can be contracted as hired guns, should be cause for concerns at all levels of society. That we the citizenry have come to accept this type of lawlessness from those entrusted with upholding the law, places some of the blame at our doorstep also.
It is time for us to have a national conversation about policing in Guyana, and to accept that we have a problem. I am not amused anymore when I hear people trying to be politically correct by saying; “well not all policemen are bad….” The fact of the matter is that there is a criminal culture within the police force and Officers and senior Non-commissioned officers not only encourage it, but are some of the principal culprits.
The bribes, the false arrests and imprisonment, the illegal search and seizures, the buying and selling of driver’s licences, which constitute an integral part of the daily operating practice by many members of the force, are more norm than exception.
As we start a new year and with the 10th parliament about be installed, it is my hope that policing and more importantly the retooling and retraining of the police force to meet international best practices is high on the agenda of lawmakers. Officers and middle managers of the force must be held accountable and disciplined for condoning misconduct by the men and women placed in their charge.
There must be a civilian complaint and review board with investigative and subpoena powers to police the police. Wages and benefits must be reorganized to minimize the temptation to supplement incomes by engaging in illegal activities. Police officers and ranks must be held to the highest professional standards by society and the civilian agency (Ministry of Home Affairs) placed in authority over them.
The current motto of the force is service and protection, this must be the starting point of all training from the time a recruit enters the academy. The December 6th shooting of peaceful demonstrators and the brutality that is currently making the rounds on the internet are not caricatures, but a true reflection of the monster we have created.
It is time we rein in the Guyana Police Force and demand excellence from our men and women in uniform.
Mark Archer

Latest News

Time for change in the Police Force

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | January, 27th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Olympic Kremlin crowned Horse-of-the-Year at One Guyana Thoroughbred...

Guyana Squash Association celebrates historic...

Western Tigers will be 50 this year ‘2025’

UG Honours outstanding athletes at Annual Sports...

East Bank Pool Club set to Cue Off 2025...

Guyana Police Force Senior Officers defeat...

Features/Columnists

The government is in choppy waters

OAS Secretary General Election and renewed OAS Consensus

Half price electricity by half year

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

Time for change in the Police Force

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | January, 27th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]