End the pervasive Culture of Police Crime and Violence in Guyana

Mar 10, 2014 Letters

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Dear Editor,
I am certain that most Guyanese are outraged and shocked at the criminal and inhumane behaviours displayed by some (seems most) members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).  If any reader doubts the current culture and state of the local Police Force, just visit Youtube and one will find a number of videos showing members of the GPF inflicting physical punishment on innocent persons as well as “suspected” criminal elements.
In the past few months and years, members of the GPF have either been accused, charged, “disciplined” or found guilty of a number of unlawful killings; robberies; unauthorized searches and seizures; possession of cannabis and illicit-narcotics, stolen money and gold; torture of the worst form against civilians (remember Colwyn Harding ; remember the 16-year-old teenager whose genitals were burned, recall the police officer that kicked and used a tree branch to lash a woman and her son in the interior, etc.) and assisting known drug traffickers.
In fact, we are all familiar with the killing of Ricardo Rodrigues.  We are also familiar with the personality of a former policeman who goes by the alias “gangsta.” We also know that even Henry Greene had his visa revoked by the United States Embassy in Georgetown after their investigations revealed that he facilitated narcotics trafficking among other illegalities.
Two weeks ago at the popular hangout spot, located on Hadfield Street, a male and female police officer resorted to waving their weapons carelessly in the air as they barked on patrons to remove their vehicles parked on the roadside. And most recently, it was reported by newssourcegy.com that a former beauty queen has been one of the most recent victims of yet another act of police brutality and illegality on International Women’s Day of all days.
A cursory glance on Facebook will reveal that many people are outraged and saddened. Imagine that a young lady is violently dragged, physically and verbally abused in front of her children, simply because she asked a question and refused to comply with an officer’s request to lodge her keys and car at the police station after the matter was documented by the police.  What is the point of her leaving her car AND keys?
Absolutely none although as usual the police will put their own twist and spin on the story to justify the officer’s action. If ever fender bender required lodging one’s car and keys at the police station then the police would have a hard time simply moving around in their own quarters.
Editor, I highlighted several examples of the excessive use of force, corruption, illegal activities and coercion by members of the GPF to emphasize that there is a pervasive culture of CRIMINALITY and VIOLENCE within the GPF. These incidents are not isolated. They represent a systemic breakdown of law, order, good behaviour, training and education within the GPF.
Whether or not these crimes and incidents are symptomatic of an orchestrated plot, poor professional development or under-educated officers as have been touted in the local media, is beside the point; something needs to be done and done now! And it will take courage on the part of the citizenry as well as law abiding and respectable members of the GPF (especially Senior GPF Officers, particularly the Commissioner…I deliberately left out the current Minister of Home Affairs because it is clear that he is unconcerned and accused of being involved in criminal acts as acknowledged by the Canadian Immigration on a matter  involving an IT Specialist and his wife who refused to spy on certain Guyanese public figures) to raise their voices of concern and to implement the required changes. Culture is a very difficult thing to change.
It takes time, convincing and repeated training until decency, informed reasoning, respect and professional behaviour becomes habitual.  Right now, lawlessness, incompetence and corruption are ruining not only the Police Force and its relationship with the general public but also the lives of many persons.
I close with another example that perhaps will help readers to be more vigilant against criminal behaviour by some police officers.  Sometime last year I was pulled over by an officer who alleged that I ran a red light. This was not true, so I pursued the matter which was eventually dropped.  As life would have it, a few weeks later I went to purchase Chinese food and was standing outside until my order was prepared. Guess who pulled up across the road in a dark tinted vehicle blasting music to the heavens?
As if this was not all, as the officer stepped out of the vehicle a huge cloud of smoke followed; the officer walked right pass me and the stench of marijuana was nauseating. As the officer went to purchase Chinese food the other occupants of the car remained inside still with music blasting.
The writing is on the wall, Guyana is in the midst of a silent war that will escalate until and unless we citizens muster the courage to recognize that we are a sinking ship, decide to collectively communicate our concerns and demand and hold not only GPF officers but other public and private sector leaders accountable when their actions contradict the law and render a dis-service to the Guyanese citizenry. By the way, on another note, why have the Private Sector Commission, Georgetown Chambers of Commerce and body responsible by institutional integrity within the GPF been so quiet and inactive regarding issues of corruption, torture, excessive use of force and police involvement in crime?
Very concerned Guyanese

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