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Police Association expresses concerns over recent excesses by cops

Jun 11, 2014 News

The Guyana Police Association (GPA), the body that looks after the interest of junior ranks has expressed concern about the attitude of some errant ranks who continue to deviate from the acceptable norms and Police Standing Orders.
The concern comes in the wake of several recent embarrassing episodes involving police ranks that led to allegations of police brutality, some of which have resulted in criminal charges.
In a statement issued yesterday, the GPA pointed to the many instances when allegations surfaced that ranks are engaging in venalities, inappropriate conduct and other transgressions, which tend to stigmatise the organisation and bring into disrepute the credibility of the many hard working policemen and women.
The Guyana Police Association, which has been in existence for 63 years, noted that from its inception it has always emphasized the need for ranks to comply with legitimate and judicious expectations in the execution of their duties, and adherence to their Oath of Office and the Police Standing Orders.
The Association is currently conducting visits to stations and has not failed to refresh the minds of ranks of their modus operandi in the provision of quality service and to build upon those positive aspects, as well as to improve or change those aspects of personal behaviour that are not compatible with and contravene the organisation’s mandate.
“In providing the highest quality of service, we must do so without favour or affection, malice or ill will.  Courtesy, politeness, honesty, integrity, dedication, impartiality, dignity and professionalism, must be common attributes of our operational life. Supervisors must take swift, decisive and appropriate action against defaulting ranks,” the GPA stated.
“We urge our members to strive to reduce the fears of the public and to reflect their priorities in the actions we take. However, in so doing we must continue to be firm in our resolve to fight crime, firm in our resolve to reduce the number of traffic accidents and road deaths, and firm in our resolve to upgrade the level of service delivery throughout the Force,” the body added.
Within the past two weeks four ranks have been placed before the courts for varying degrees of assault on civilians. This was after there was massive public outcry, first over the incidents themselves, and secondly, over the length of time it took for the matters to be investigated.
Two ranks have been charged with assaulting Timehri resident Colwyn Harding, while he was in custody at the Timehri Police Station in November last year. And as recent as Monday, a cadet officer was remanded to prison for allegedly putting a gun into the mouth of 16-year-old Alex Griffith and pulling the trigger Russian roulette-style until the weapon sent a bullet through the back of his skull.
Fortunately Griffith lived to identify the shooter.
Stemming from that incident also, a detective corporal was charged for attempting to pervert the course of justice in what many see as an attempt to cover the crime.
And if that was not enough, an investigation was recently completed into the alleged torture committed on 19-year-old Junior Thornton at the Sparendaam Police Station.
Thornton is alleging that police soaked his two hands in methylated spirits then set them alight.
The Guyana Police Association is calling on its members to have more interaction with the communities, including Community Policing Groups and Station Management Committees, and to participate in police community relations activities in order to enhance the law enforcement relationship.
The Executive of the Police Association is urging its members to consolidate on the gains achieved over the years and to fully embrace the modernization, training and capacity building that are taking place within the Guyana Police Force under the guidance of the Commissioner of Police and his Management Team.
The Association also commends the hard working policemen/women who continue to work beyond the normal call of duty, in a dedicated and professional manner, in order to maintain a high degree of public safety within the country.

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