Guyana Police Force should stop transferring ranks as a form of punishment

Mar 05, 2012 Letters

Dear Editor,
As I listened to President Ramotar and Commissioner Brumell at the opening of the Annual Police Officers’ Conference on Thursday March 1, 2012, I was struck by their oneness of vision for the Guyana Police Force in the medium and long terms. I could not help but notice the thread of good intentions which woven throughout both speeches.
My good feelings were tempered however, by the thought that in most of us there is a tendency to blame others when things do not quite work out as planned; we seldom blame ourselves. It is the government, the opposition, the privileged, or the great unwashed.
But platitudinous or not, I can relate to the conference theme “Enhancing community safety and security through partnerships, professionalism, reform and strategic management” notwithstanding the capacity constraints faced by the GPF like so many of our institutions.
Editor I have been described as an unrelenting critic of the GPF even when my views are meant to be helpful. One of my friends went so far as to describe my letters in relation to the role of the police in public safety as esoterical (sic) to hurt up people’s heads.
I can understand his angst when in spite of our best efforts the crime situation just seems to be going to hell in a hand basket.
But enough of me; what I wish sincerely is a successful conference for Commissioner Leroy Brumell and his officers, and for him to be provided with the level of resources which a modern police force can ill afford to lack. At the same time I would hope to see a movement away from the capricious, silly and unjustifiable transfers of officers and ranks to the interior and Tactical Services Unit. Transfers should never be used as punishment since what happens is a problem sent to someone else instead of any attempt at rehabilitation.
I know of an instance where a female who was doing a very good job being transferred because someone did not like the skirt she wore. How much more ridiculous can we get? I feel that the administration of the GPF should stop treating the TSU as a dumping ground; as a matter of fact I believe it should be a policy that all gazetted officers (with the probable exception of specialists) should serve a stint at the TSU to develop an appreciation of the role of that unit.
Editor I wish to offer my very best wishes to Commissioner Brumell, and his officers and to express my commitment to continue working towards the professional development of the Guyana Police Force in any small way that I can. I stand on solid ground when I assure him that he can count on the cooperation and support of the many former officers both in Guyana and in the Diaspora.
However in all of that a word of caution is necessary at this point – good intentions are sometimes milestones along the road to hell.
Patrick E. Mentore

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Guyana Police Force should stop transferring ranks as a form of punishment

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