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What is really the role of police traffic officers?

Sep 20, 2012 Letters

Dear Editor,
The Police and the Ministry of Home Affairs should urgently clarify the role of police traffic officers as it relates to ensuring the smooth flow of traffic and the prevention of chaos on our roads.
Traffic cops are usually out in their numbers during rush-hour periods at mornings and evenings but instead of ensuring the smooth flow of traffic, I believe these cops see these periods as an opportunity to make money. How can pulling private citizens over for routine checks and to check for documents help in alleviating traffic congestion and chaos experienced on the roads at these critical times?
Instead of enforcing order on our roads, traffic cops are more interested in checking documents. It seems like routine checks for documents is an obsession of the Guyana Police Force (GPF). Anyone who has travelled to more developed countries, as well as other  lesser developed countries such as Guyana will quickly realize that this a phenomenon reserved for third world countries.
Checking for documents during rush-hour traffic only causes further congestion and chaos on our roads and fuels the frustration experienced by our citizens who at these times are either trying to get to work and be productive or trying to get home, and there is so much more to be done when we get home!
Somehow you can sense that when there is confusion ahead, a traffic cop is responsible. Traffic cops should only intervene when someone obviously breaks the law or endangers others.
It seems pellucid that both the GPF and the Ministry of Home Affairs’ focus is on traffic rather than the prevention, detection and solving of violent crimes. It appears that more resources go into traffic than crime units. You can pass as many as six traffic police between Lusignan and Georgetown on any given morning – except when it’s raining of course as these traffic cops are also dry weather cops. Every recruit wants to be placed within the traffic department, as this is where the fast money can be made.
Traffic ranks should only be given motor bikes, as this is sufficient for their purposes and allows them to navigate traffic better, all other vehicles should be made available to the crime units. How many times have we heard the excuse that the Police do not have vehicles to respond to armed robberies? Where are all those shiny SUVs that are handed over by the government and taxpayers?
Lastly, do the Police use a scientific approach to making streets ‘one-ways’ and the placement of no parking/ stopping signs? Are there consultations with the Ministry of Public Works? Are any studies done that look at the impact and implications of these decisions or are they just ad hoc? Look at the congestion that is being caused in the vicinity of Marian Academy due to no parking/ stopping signs and confusion due to one-ways created in Alberttown. Why can’t private citizens park along the stretch of road between South Car Park and Plaisance Car Park? Could the Police say where private citizens should park/stop? There are lots of businesses and citizens that are disrupted daily.
I hope the relevant authorities take the foregoing into consideration; I don’t expect to get a response from either the Police or the Ministry of Home Affairs.
R. Singh

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