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Do we live in a police state?

Aug 29, 2014 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
A concern expressed by a fairly wide cross-section of citizens suggest that there exists a lowering of trust in the Guyana Police Force to live up to its motto “to serve and protect”.
This is so sad because I have come in contact with a number of senior Police Officers and other ranks who are highly professional, courteous and efficient who make us proud to be Guyanese. However, some recent experiences suggest we may be drifting towards a classic Police State where elements in the Force are used to pervert justice (look at the number of cases dismissed etc).
A Police State is where they use elements of totalitarianism-manifested by the exercise of political power by the executive.
I share a recent experience for citizens to judge. On Monday at a duly constituted Statutory Meeting, the duly elected council passed a motion requiring the Acting Town Clerk, Ms. Sooba to proceed on administrative leave immediately.
The Town Clerk Acting, Ms. Sooba was present, and was the same day sent a letter asking her to remove her personal belongings and do a ‘hand over’. That office was secured at end of the Meeting after Ms. Sooba had the opportunity to do as required, however she issued defiant words.
The following morning, a non-employee of the council along with Ms. Sooba broke into an outer-section of Town Clerk’s office and as we learnt, a female reporter was assaulted in the process (no condemnation from the WPO, Gail Texiera and Gillian Burton et al).
The Mayor and some councilors personally made a report to the Brickdam Police Station later that day.
A Police NCO and a Police photographer proceeded to City Hall in order to conduct further investigations- Ms. Sooba locked the door to the Town Clerk’s outer office, the Police officers showed their identification to gain entry but to no avail.
Later Ms. Sooba and the civilian emerged and informed the male Police rank that his ‘superior’ wishes to speak with him on her cell phone. After that conversation in our presence the officer, informed us that they were ordered to abort their investigation and return to Brickdam Police Station-End of story.
No further comment is necessary. Save to remind us of what Thomas Otway said
during the restoration in England, “Justice is lame, as well as blind among us”. Do we live in a police state?
Hamilton Green

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