Citizens still waiting with bated breath FOR positive changes in the police force

Apr 06, 2015 Letters

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Dear Editor,
I was prompted to write as a Guyanese citizen out of an abundance of concern for the continued lack of professionalism amid allegations of misconduct by members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).  I do believe that I speak for the majority of peace loving law abiding citizens on the urgent need to reform the organisation which has pledged to serve and protect all within the borders of this dear land of ours.
Over the past twenty-four months we have been regaled with the Minister of Home Affairs’ intention to have a reformed police force even to the extent of a name change.  However, sad to say, citizens are still waiting with bated breath for manifestations of positive change in the behaviour and attitude of our policemen and women.  It is with the latter view in mind that I seek in the spirit of goodwill, and in the interest of public safety and security to express the following thoughts.
Editor, I have taken the liberty of perusing the GPF’s Strategic Plan on the ministry’s website and I have observed that what is intended therein speaks to improving operational and administrative efficiency of the Force.  A closer examination reveals that with respect to the modernisation thrust, some attention is being paid to improving the organisation’s infrastructure in terms of facilities and machinery.  While these interventions are to be applauded I am sure most of us would agree that modernisation does not necessarily bring about reform, nor does it result in a democratic police service.  However, with the much publicised statements on ongoing reforms emanating from the ministry, I am of the humble view that so far there is a marked absence in the public domain of the form these reforms are expected to take, and what image a reformed GPF will project to the public.  As it presently stands there appears to be less than organisational support for the minister’s vision in that regard a situation which if true poses a serious challenge to institutionalising reform in the Force.
In essence, the prevailing view is that whatever the proposed reforms are, they do not seem to have been transmitted to all members of the Force.  If the public is to go by the continuing reports of police misconduct, the only reasonable conclusion would be that the prevailing attitudes and behaviours have grown worse compared to any previous era.  I am therefore compelled to seek some guidance from the Minister of Home Affairs and the police hierarchy on a few important questions.
1. How will a reformed GPF be expected to operate?
2. What attitudes, knowledge and behaviour will members be expected to demonstrate?
3. Have these expectations been transmitted to the rank and file?  If yes, by what means have they been disseminated?
4. Are there clearly defined goals of the reform process with milestones for measurable achievement?
5. Has there been organisational commitment and buy-in to the proposed reform?
6. Has the Force’s administration made efforts to instill in the hearts and minds of ranks a desire to develop a culture that supports the change effort?
7. Has the reform elements been incorporated into the Force’s policies and procedures?
8. Is it true that a certain department is being set up as the scapegoat for the police’s failure to implement changes?
Editor, those are but a few of the burning questions which – if not addressed, will only lead to a stymieing of the best efforts in spite of the resources the government throws at the Force.  The public quite rightly expects that its police force as the most visible manifestation of government authority responsible for public security, should reflect a respect for fundamental human rights, integrity and police codes of conduct.  These are the major elements of democratic policing.  The GPF can only enhance the legitimacy of the state if its members demonstrate in their daily work that they are responsive to public needs and expectations, and use the authority of the state in the people’s interests.  Fair and impartial treatment by the police toward all during the elections period will certainly win respect, support and co-operation and help regain the public’s trust and confidence.
A reformed GPF informed by democratic principles requires that police consider themselves to be accountable to citizens, their representatives, the state and the law.  This makes it all the more critical that police activities, ranging from the behaviour of individual members to policing strategies and policies, human resource and budget management, must be transparent and open to scrutiny.  It is therefore to be hoped that the minister’s comments on expanding oversight of the GPF will be realised in the shortest possible time.
It is my sincere hope that serious consideration be given to including among the reform agenda emphasis on adherence to the Rule of Law; impartiality, tolerance, discretion, honesty, integrity and fairness; politeness, hygiene, appearance and general manners; personal communication; abuse of authority; performance of duties; lawful orders; confidentiality; sobriety; general conduct; security and privacy; professionalism; development of trust; service to the community; special considerations to be given to the mentally ill; abuse and misuse of authority; off-duty behaviour; and use of official position.  It is also to be hoped that appropriate measures will be developed to prevent, detect, punish and eradicate the scourge of corruption in the police.  It should be borne in mind that all efforts will be useless if the conditions that breed corruption and  temptations faced by the frontline ranks including extortion, kickbacks, payoffs and gratuities perjury; direct and indirect corruption are not confronted to bring to justice those who are corrupt.
Editor, as someone who has challenged injustices sometimes in circumstances amounting to civil disobedience, it is incumbent upon me to offer a word on the police management of civil disturbances.  A reformed GPF should be able to act with the level of professionalism to avoid a repetition of the Linden July 2012 tragedy.  This means that the GPF must be equipped to assess crowd situations objectively and be able to understand crowd psychology and behavior.  There should be revised procedures and guidelines for dealing with civil disturbance to include persuasion, negotiation, mediation, escalation and de-escalation of events.
Finally, as a concerned Guyanese I am very much aware that due to the nature of their work, our law enforcement officers are exposed to incidents or situations that cause stress, which can take a toll on their work and private lives.  Therefore a reformed GPF must ensure that all its members are equipped to manage stress with an awareness and control of the sources of stress and be able to achieve the right work-life balance
These are just a few of my observations which – if addressed, will give Guyanese a level of comfort and confidence that the organisation’s reforms are on the right track and heading in the right direction.
Sandra Barton

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