Beyond Rohee - a process of genuine reform and re-training

Beyond Rohee – a process of genuine reform and re-training

Aug 22, 2012 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
Like so many others, I join the ever increasing number of persons demanding that Minister Clement Rohee must go. However this should only be the beginning of a process of genuine reform and re-training. The Guyana Police Force has grown into a monster; the force has become exceedingly hostile and extremely brutal to the average Guyanese.
I would contend that no well-trained disciplined and professional outfit could have been used in the manner in which the police behaved in Linden. Mr. Ramotar and Mr. Rohee must shoulder a substantial portion of the blame, but there are too many officers and men in the police force who are unfit to wear the uniform. Sometimes some conditions simply fuel a vicious cycle
Police brutality, when found anywhere, can be traced back to the direct approval of the government. Police brutality in New York City continues because the city and state refuse to put in place the necessary reform strategies recommended by many competent organizations. The same can be said for Los Angeles. However this is Guyana and the police department comes directly under the National government.
In this country a climate of lawlessness prevails, and it begins with those who should really be setting the example.
The average Guyanese, regardless of economic status, can give vivid accounts of unlawful police conduct and excesses, witnessed on a daily basis.
The ease and frequency with which people, are being beaten-up and shot by the police is now regarded as the norm. When I was a boy, a certain Mr. “Batson” was beaten up by the police, the media got a hold of the story and some policemen found themselves in serious trouble. In those days the media was aggressive, they mastered the art of investigative journalism, they pushed for the facts and often got the truth.
These days men are beaten or shot by the police and some flimsy excuses are given, there is really no follow-up. In fac,t only in the most glaring cases are any actions taken. The little boy whose genitals were almost roasted by cruel criminals in uniform has not yet received any monetary compensation.
Only recently Freddie Kissoon lamented the state of affairs in this country and the near comatose behaviour of too many people.
I would urge all Guyanese, but especially those who may consider themselves middle class, to speak up and speak out, I urge churches to speak up and to use their organizational strength to push for change.
The Bible does expect believers to adhere to the law, but it equally demands that “justice must run down like water”.
Too often many of us fail to act because the atrocity is aimed at the poor or some other community that is different from ours; we turn a blind eye sometimes because the victims don’t look like us or live where we live. Nevertheless, the time comes when the average person will become easy game for these cruel cops. It may be too late for too many. The time to act is now; we must all condemn this nonsense. People pay police for protection not persecution.
Aubrey Retemyer

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