The rights of those in custody must be respected at all times

Jan 20, 2014 Letters

Dear Editor,
The function of the police is the protection of life and property and the preservation of peace, therefore citizen expect that the police function with the given ambit. However, recent events have shed a shadow over the public confidence with the police as result the police is perceive as a enemy to the citizens. The police must be aware that society is changing and they must adapt to the changes within society. The police must be consonant of the fact that the media will act as a guardian to the citizens and the media’s role is the report any incidents that they perceived to be true. The Kaieteur News reporting the story serves as a reminder that the police must be very careful in dealing with citizens when a report is made to them for investigation and furthermore the police must be aware the rights of citizens.
As I alluded to your editorial SundayJanuary19,2014,in which you highlighted where “ four ranks were each sentenced to eighteen months in prison for assaulting the son of a very senior officer’s friend, while the two who allegedly burned the genitals of a boy were rewarded with transfer”. Such a revelation does not speak well for the police, because citizen will perceive that there is one law for some and another law for others. The police must be aware that citizens are taking note of these inconsistencies and are awaiting the opportunity to vent their disapproval.
Modern day policing operates on intelligence gathering and this is achieved with the cooperation of members of the public. An investigative officer cannot complete a successful investigation unless the cooperation of the public is involved. Therefore, the police must not see the citizens as an enemy but rather as persons that need their intervention for guidance. There will be no society without crime and at sometime the police will have to be very forceful so long it’s done within the ambit of the law. Citizens must understand that the policeman’s function can be very complex and sometimes it requires your patience until a full investigation is completed.
The police must protect life and this life is human life therefore, any suspect who is under their care of the police must be treated fairly. There are some suspects, whose behavior leaves a lot to desired. However, it’s the duty of the police to deal with such cases in a manner that any court will uphold. It is important that the rights of a suspect be respected at all times and we must also respect the rights of the police to investigate a matter. The alleged torture incident is a very complex one and a thorough investigation must be conducted so that all relevant persons be satisfied that justice has been served.
The image of the police must be addressed with an overhaul of its present structure where one can found accountable from Constable to Commissioner. It’s my view that the force has competent men and women who can rebuild the image of the police force and regain the confidence of the public but its need a collaborative effort all Guyanese.
There are many reports of unprofessional behavior of police officers which have not been dealt with, but in other cases policemen were charged and were convicted and many more were dismissed for misconduct. Therefore, all is not lost; what is need is a more proactive approach in dealing with officers who have acted outside the law.
The time has come when senior officers in charge of stations must be held accountable for the actions of junior officers when evidence shows that the senior officer was aware of the actions of his juniors and failed to act.
Morris Springer

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The rights of those in custody must be respected at all times

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