The police have to stop these random traffic stops

Apr 11, 2016 Letters

Dear Editor,
I recently read an article, “Women drivers should not have to deal with unprofessional traffic ranks,” in which I felt as a woman I would like to share my experiences as a woman driver. Firstly, I must commend persons for highlighting this issue in Guyana. I fully agree that some Police Officers do tend to behave unprofessionally in the form of harassment and belittling women drivers.
Only recently, I was stopped by a police officer and he requested for my documents, which I happily gave, all documents were checked and I calmly asked why I was stopped. I was told, ‘ I jumped a stop sign ’ in which I immediately responded ‘I saw the sign, however since the road was cleared, I only stopped for approximately 7 seconds and continue driving’, I was told that was wrong, when I further supported my stance on what I learned from the very three (3) days classes offered by the Guyana Police Force, I was told that ‘ I am very difficult and if I don’t want to be hauled into the station, I (me) should shut up and apologise if I want to go, ’and I immediately replied that ‘ if he was aware that he threatened me in front of my mother and my sister’( who will be in the near future make an application for a driver licence, one more female driver on the road!). The officer then, told me I should proceed.
Even though, the story finished there, with that police officer, I still felt taken back by the words and manner in which the officer spoke to me, as though I do not possess the ability to drive and make decisions based on situation(s) on the road (which I ironically have a valid driving licence) nor have the right to stand up for myself.
The reason I wrote this letter was because my sister was with me when this happened, I felt I somewhat condoned the behaviour of that officer, because I thought then, time and energies would be wasted, had I seek to enlighten the officer about hauling me in the station. Come July 2016, my sister will be eligible to apply for her licence, I don’t ever want her to assume that it is right for any officer to speak to a female driver like that, nor back down on her rights/ abilities as a driver due to intimidation. I also should mention that during that ordeal, the whole time the officer was referring to me as babes, when I gave him my documents, I told him very frankly I don’t appreciate you or anyone else calling me that, I am a fully grown woman and please refer to me by the name stated on the licence, if you may, I must admit the officer did desist from referring to me as a babes.
In closing, I would like to frankly say, while officers may feel that it is ok to tease, harass and even referring to female drivers as sexy, honey, babes, and baby girl, I find that very distasteful and insulting to the womenfolk! One ask, why I chose those names, because overtime, that is how I was referred to in the past by officers until I objected.
And in some instances, my objection to be referred to those names, resulted in the police officers in the past keep me parked up for prolonged period, nevertheless I withstand it. But as the article in Citizens Report mentioned, ‘all skin teeth nah laugh’ it is right time such behaviour against women stop! I am sure, police officers don’t call men drivers those name, but yet is it ok for women drivers, or as officers say ‘wha wrang, if I call you dah.’
Women drivers we need to stand up for our rights and police officers need to respect those while at the same time acting in the confines of the Law.
I end by stating that despite those negative occurrences, I have also met some very professional, respectful officers as well and I, too, support the call for investigation into the increasing number of random stops by GPF especially those that seek to intimidate and eve tease women.
I would like an advisory on the notion of ‘ police officers randomly stopping vehicle and commanding/ imposing female drivers to give them drop,’ this happened to a close female friend of mine, who was too embarrassed and intimidated to tell the officers no.
As a matter of fact, since the clarity and subsequent advisory to the public on which, where and on what circumstances can ranks of the GPF can stop drivers, I have been stopped far less, because it was suggested that since I am a female it is highly possible that I don’t have a driver licence and I am an easy target to intimidate and make fun of!
Frustrated female driver

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The police have to stop these random traffic stops

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