Trust, care for human life integral to GPF transformation

Jul 02, 2015 News

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 “Let our children see police officers and their first emotion not be fear but protection. I challenge you to change that image so that young men and women will feel good to walk beside young officers in the street and be able to have a conversation. We need that kind of relationship.” –  Reverend Raphael Massiah

As the Guyana Police Force celebrates its 176th Anniversary, trust and care for human life were highlighted as key areas of focus necessary for the institute’s transformation.

These areas were brought to the fore by Reverend Raphael Massiah, who delivered an inspirational message to the hundreds gathered for the GPF’s Drumhead Service.
The pastor noted that 176 years of existence was a great feat and that the Force had triumphed despite persons trying to write it off. He opined that the Force was relevant but must continue to make the necessary changes to maintain its relevance.
He admitted that it was “easier said than done” but could be accomplished with strong leadership. Transformation must be undergirded by the recognition of God’s sovereignty, he added.
According to Massiah, a transformation is much needed in the Police Force. He said that though the Force must recognise and see its problems, it must also see its solutions. One of these solutions, Massiah said, was the establishment of trust.
Noting that the GPF has the responsibility to protect and serve the people, Massiah stressed that trust from the citizenry was needed to foster transformation within the nation.
“The trust given by the people is the only legitimate way you will be able to have access to the kind of information you need in order to do effective work,” Massiah said. “You must insist and demand from all those who have responsibilities to the people, that they understand the importance of trust so that people will be able to once again trust this great institution.”
Massiah said that when the citizenry recognises that the GPF is working to benefit it, the people will in turn “follow you to hell and back”. He added that in some cases persons will follow because there is sufficient coercive power used to threaten them. However, Massiah maintained that coercion should not be resorted to. Rather, the building of trust should be the fundamental aim.
“Every beat cop, every officer must understand that the only way – the best way, rather than using instruments of coercion – to gain inroads is to work to gain and establish the trust that is needed for the advancement of the work,” Massiah stressed.
Massiah also maintained that members of the GPF must recognise that human life is extremely important.
According to Massiah, the mandate of each officer as he or she goes about the duties is the preservation of human life and maintaining care of the people. He added that this mandate must be maintained regardless of who the officer is dealing with.
“As you conduct your business, you must do so with the realisation that you might be dealing with a human being who might have transgressed the law in some way, but you are still dealing with a being designed with worth. I think that will change the way we approach lots of the things we do,” Massiah charged.
He said, too, that transformation is achievable but will be stymied by persons who are working in opposition to progress.
“The more you attempt to build, the opposition can become very formidable,” Massiah said. “Every time you attempt to do something good, know that there are people who are well positioned and their only task is to ensure that your work is a failure.”
Nonetheless, he said, attempts for progress must continue despite the difficulties encountered.
“Let our children see police officers and their first emotion not be fear but protection. I challenge you to change that image so that young men and women will feel good to walk beside young officers in the street and be able to have a conversation. We need that kind of relationship,” Massiah urged.
“Garbage in, garbage out”
During his message, Massiah also emphasised that the quality of officers coming into the Force must be improved in order to foster the development of the institution.
According to Massiah, if garbage is put in garbage will most likely come out. He emphasised that the Force must put mechanisms in place to attract the best and the brightest from the beginning. He said too that, when the best is recruited, they must in turn be compensated for their quality of work.
He further said that the tools must be given to the members of the GPF who must then add or multiply to the Force by meaningful contributions.
Speaking to the leadership of the GPF, Massiah urged that persons who are in the force must not be promoted based on age or years of service, but rather, because of the positive roles they would have played.
“If we are going to bring about the transformation that is necessary, some tough decisions must be made…I hope you don’t have in the force men and women who have been around for a long time but they still have the things that were given to them at the beginning yet they are clamouring for increase and they are clamouring for promotions,” Massiah said.
“You have to find a way on how you will treat with people like that because it’s not good for the development of any institution…people must know that you mean business now.”
Massiah also had some words of advice for Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud. He advised the Commissioner to display sagacity by stealthily investigating matters instead of simply receiving the reports from other ranks.
“Even after you would receive the word from the different heads who report to you, you must go out there and check it out for yourself…so you will not only get the official report. Go by stealth and do your own work. We’re talking about efficiency and productivity. We want to be able to deliver the best we can deliver to this nation,” Massiah said.

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