Brummel is in a position where he has to sing for his supper

Nov 18, 2012 Letters

---

Dear Editor,
The actions by Clement Rohee to function in the capacity as Minister of Home Affairs, after the passing of a parliamentary no confidence motion are sending ominous signals. Anyone who zealously guards his/her character will not engage in acts that undermine time honoured principles and practices. For the minister to be ‘comforted’ by the apparent coercive statement of ‘support’ issued by acting Commissioner of Police (COP), Leroy Brummel, is an indication of a man who is tormented by the truth and out of his depth when it comes to management, since the responsibility of operation is not to “support [the] boss” but to implement policies consistent with operational practices.
The Police Force has no responsibility of supporting individuals. Its responsibilities is to the principles of Service and Protection outlined in operating procedures consistent with the rule of law to be discharged without fear, favour or ill will. And this goes too for Brummel and the minister, because the Force cannot be behind the minister in whatever he does, as so claimed by the acting COP. An infraction is an infraction regardless of who commits it and we must call it for what it is. Further, that the minister sees this as giving cover to his stewardship justifies the calls for his resignation for he clearly does not understand the distinction in roles of the minister and that of the police force and therefore putting the officers and Force in an untenable situation.
And any call for the sanction for the acting COP has to be looked at within the context of how this entire issue is being addressed. By Article 210 (4) of the Constitution the President invited the Leader of the Opposition to “engage in meaningful consultation” for the appointment of a COP. Brummell was acting COP at the time of this meeting and rather than addressing his or any other person’s suitability for the job and conclude the appointment and confirmation, the President and Leader of the Opposition agreed for the appointment of two deputy commissioners of police which was not what the meeting was to address. The ambivalence by the President and Leader of the Opposition, coupled with the level of subterfuge in the society, place Brummel in a situation to support issues and positions that run counter to the professionalism that is expected in the Force.
Whenever we start wrong, we are going to end wrong, and in this specific case both the President and Leader of the Opposition have abrogated their constitutional responsibility to the Police Force and the Guyanese society.  In this instance don’t blame Brummel, blame the President, the Leader of the Opposition and Minister of Home Affairs for placing him in a position where he has to sing for his supper.
The laws, rules, principles and practices cannot be sacrificed at the expense of any organization or individual’s interest and we the people must see to it. The Private Sector Commission’s (PSC) tongue-in-cheek statement on the opposition’s actions in parliament which this body thinks does not constitute “decorum in keeping with the prestigious office entrusted to them by the Guyanese people” is deserving of attention.  The actions of the current parliamentarians are no different to those that preceded them. Notably, Cheddi and Janet Jagan were the militant opposition parliamentarians of yesteryear and greatly admired for their actions, which included loud heckling, knocking down the mace and law books, and thumping of furniture. The Jagans’ actions were consistent with the desire to be heard and their views respected. The same desire exists today and it must be equally respected.
The PSC has a corporate and moral responsibility to this society, and it includes ensuring the legitimate will of the people is respected, and the Rights of Man and the Rule of Law take pre-eminence. Its legitimacy and respect across the board are hinged on this and the current leadership of the PSC need not forget that on matters of policing and lawful conduct the PSC has been involved in acts of undermining the role of the police; an instance is last elections and the absence of their voices in reigning in a narco-economy Professor Clive Thomas writes extensively on and the international bodies are expressing concerns about this illegality that is undermining the social fabric of the society, coupled with the rampant corruption that undermines governance.
In fact, the society sees the PSC as an enabler of much wrong and would appreciate if it considers grounding its voice by applying international principles as it seeks to address these issues, including the President’s abrogation of his responsibility to the people under the Constitution.  The Executive is equally a part of parliament and governance as much as the opposition. And they must be equally held accountable.
The holistic development of this country can only be realized when we hold all by the same standards and all play by the same rules- which are outlined in universal declarations, international conventions and laws and the Guyana Constitution. Money and/or access to the corridors of power allow(s) no one to be contemptuous of the struggle of the people in putting laws and systems in place to avoid the strong and mighty trampling on their rights. Taking this approach is injurious to the tenets of creating a just and modern society and even threatens the wellbeing of legitimate business and every law-abiding citizen.
And while the opposition’s effort is noted to hold Rohee accountable, such efforts must be buttressed by laying the foundation where principles trump principalities. As such it is expected David Granger, as Leader of the Opposition to give fillip to the current action by delivering the requisite leadership to have the Recommendations in the Disciplined Services Commission Report, that was unanimously accepted in National Assembly in May 2004, be made a reality. It is further expected that Winston Felix, as former COP and current shadow minister of home affairs, will prepare the requisite documents consistent with Article 171 (1) of the Constitution, to start the ball rolling.
It is time our elected officials to government understand that they have a moral and civic responsibility to the people – those who vote for them or not- in delivering and ensuring a society premised on justice and fair play. For too long the ordinary man and woman are being taken for granted, given excuses and denied what’s rightly theirs by politicians who are abrogating their responsibility under the social contract, as outlined in the Constitution. Being elected to govern in the interest of the people, it is time to walk the walk.
Lincoln Lewis

---

---