Latest update February 4th, 2025 9:06 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

A complete overhaul of the current policing system is required

Sep 15, 2012 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
It is obvious that something is fundamentally wrong with policing in Guyana. It is my opinion that this problem cannot be fixed by a commission of inquiry or some cosmetic change of command. The problems of policing in Guyana will require a complete overhaul of the current system.
The shooting of Shaquille Grant a few days ago in Agricola, and the many other documented and undocumented cases of Police ranks discharging their firearms in the line of duty, resulting in the loss of life of unarmed civilians, would be enough for any credible law enforcement agency to halt all current operations.
I hope that I never happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and I hope that God grants me the wisdom to know where that place is. Enshrined in our constitution are certain basic rights to life and liberty, and one should feel free to engage in the activities of daily life anywhere and at anytime without the threat of summary execution or murder by police.
Acting Commissioner of Police Brumell showed grave insensitivity when he said that Mr. Grant was at the wrong place at the wrong time; how could he make such a pronouncement when the investigation is still ongoing? And how does such a careless remark not influence or taint the proceedings?
It becomes clearer everyday that the problem with this police force is one of leadership, training and poor governmental supervision/oversight by the Minister of Home Affairs.
If we are to believe the sequence of events that happened that day, the police were responding to a report that a crime was being planned. On the surface this points to great intelligence, but what happened thereafter was criminal; we are still to be informed of what crime if any, was being committed, and if according to some unconfirmed reports someone shot at the police and it was not Mr. Grant, then why is this young brother dead?
These incidents have become all too commonplace and the blood of young African men and the tears of their mothers have been shed too often. It must end now, and we the people must demand that we are better served and properly protected.
When we place guns in the hands of young men and give them police powers to act as agents of the state, it should not be a responsibility that is taken lightly or given without the necessary training.
The recipients of this responsibility (the police) must also know that there will be consequences for their actions if they act outside the colour of the law or are in breach of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
From everything I have heard and read, this young man did not have to die, he was not in the wrong place at the wrong time, but sadly it seems that he was just another victim of a police force gone wild. I saw this force up close at Linden a few weeks ago, and I could see the murderous intent in some of those young eyes.
Commissioner Brumell and his staff must find a way to rein this force in. In deference to the Commissioner, I see very little of the good policemen, maybe because the “bad eggs” as he calls them are constantly on display and they have become the face of the Force.
I will close by saying that if we cannot depend on the Guyana Police Force to protect us and keep us safe, then we must start the conversation on how we as a people can start protecting ourselves.
Mark Archer

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | January, 27th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

KARCC hails 2025 Guyana-Suriname Group Ride a massive success

KARCC hails 2025 Guyana-Suriname Group Ride a massive success

Feb 04, 2025

Kaieteur Sports- The Kaieteur Attack Racing Cycle Club (KARCC) hosted the 6th edition of its Cross-Country Cycling Group Ride, which commenced last Thursday in front of the Sheriff Medical Centre on...
Read More
Cricket West Indies Launches Bold New Scouting System with Focus on West Indies Championship

Cricket West Indies Launches Bold New Scouting...

Feb 04, 2025

Berbice Educational High CSEC Physical Education Class Visits Nexgen Golf Academy

Berbice Educational High CSEC Physical Education...

Feb 04, 2025

GSL 2025 to take place in July

GSL 2025 to take place in July

Feb 03, 2025

Ken Harvey dominates GBA’s Pepsi/Michael Parris U-16 Tournament

Ken Harvey dominates GBA’s Pepsi/Michael...

Feb 03, 2025

Goal is Money survive scare on Opening Night of Annual Mashramani Street Football Championship

Goal is Money survive scare on Opening Night of...

Feb 03, 2025

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]