The Story Within The Story…The lessons of little Leonard and the police

Oct 01, 2017 News

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By Leonard Gildarie

Guyana watched a drama played out in Berbice recently. It shocked us to the core the

depravity of some human beings.
A 13-year-old was snatched not far from his home. He was doing what kids of his age do. Having fun, living life. Riding his bicycle. His disappearance and subsequent search led to villagers fingering two men, who lived in the area.
Hours after questioning the men, police descended on a home where one lived and behind it, in the Berbice River, they discovered his bike. It was the worst scenario.
It confirmed the confession of at least of the men that Leonard Archibald was kidnapped, sodomised and then dumped in the Berbice River.
It could have been that he was alive, in pain and died a death that no one should wish on another. His body was later discovered in the river, a few villages away.
In his last moments, what were his thoughts?
Leonard’s family was humble, by all accounts an average Guyanese family that struggled to make ends meet. It appears that the family was a close-knitted one.
I have my kids and I am not sure how I will react if someone hurts them. I believe the mom would be the one to go ballistic. I have seen the way she shelters them, watching their every move. It is different for a mother and I can relate to the pain that I see in the eyes of that teen whose life was snuffed out by at least one cruel monster whose place should never be among society again.
It is hard seeing your little one lying in a coffin, knowing that maybe, just maybe you could have done something different to avoid the outcome.
The thoughts keep replaying in your mind and for the family of Leonard, and a community that is now torn apart in East Berbice, things will never be the same again.
It appears that the number one accused was known for his attacks. Several alleged victims have confirmed separate incidents, including one kidnapping and another, of a sudden attack and attempted rape during a fishing trip.
Police have denied that they ever received complaints against the accused.
An investigator from Georgetown has since been dispatched to Berbice to investigate whether police turned a blind eye to reported incidents.
I deliberately remained quiet during this highly disturbing incident.
The community has come under fire for missing warning signs and the police will, of course, as usual, be under the microscope, for maybe a cover-up.
Yes, a cover-up. From one photo I saw, one of the accused was wearing what appears to be a police cap, emblem and all. How did the accused get a cap?
What about reports that the community heard screams but did not investigate? Is the community to be blamed? These are all burning questions that should be asked.
Leonard’s tragedy, cutting short his life, has opened up some old wounds, especially our relationship with the police.
In India, the brutal attack, rape and murder of a young woman triggered protests and law changes for tougher penalties for a country that largely in the past, fostered a way of life that kept women on the sidelines. Slowly, things are changing in India now. The voices are emerging.
I believe that our police force has made tremendous strides in improving its capacity in solving crimes.
A number of well-organised gangs have been dismantled but it appears as if there are ready recruits ready to step in and prove themselves. A number of high profile cases are being solved. Yet, we cannot shake that feel that a number of rogue cops continue to do Guyana a disservice.
I am a realist. What is happening in the police force is what prevails all over the world.
Every security agency, from anti-narcotics, to Customs and other border agencies, to even the army, faces daily attempts of abuse and corruption.
I read recently of cops shaking down a Chinese couple who were leaving at the Timehri airport, accusing them of having too much cash, and demanding and receiving US$2,000.
We learnt of a senior cop from Berbice being arrested, out of his jurisdiction, this past week while allegedly attempting to sell fuel marker. An ex-cop is also being sought for allegedly being the middle man.
For years now, there has been a deep suspicion by citizens of the police. I have even seen accusations of police deliberately staying away from an active robbery scene, arriving hours later. Guess what? It was not for the lack of vehicle.
Yes, it is true. It seems some police ranks know what is going down and are even sending young bandits to the homes of citizens.
Young Leonard’s life, and his “untimely” end, should be a clear wakeup call for all and sundry. We cannot sit still and continue at our same pace with a tunnel vision outlook.
Our role in this country has to move from playing the role of a mere bystander to actively participating.
In short, we have to make our voices heard. There is a hungry media out there. There is social media also. We have many ways to sound a clear warning.
We will not become another Trinidad or Jamaica in our crime rate where people are scared to venture into certain neighbourhoods. We have to each become the neighbourhood police. The crime fight starts from there.
We will stop our policemen and women and tell them that the vehicle they are driving in such a reckless manner belongs to us.
We must ask our neighbours to hold one head and demand that the rogue who is playing his music loudly, shattering the peace of everyone, to turn it down. We have to be vigilant.
Keep records. If you report a matter to the police take names, time etc. I know many police ranks and officers. Largely, they are good folks who are struggling to make ends meet and do their job. But they are human beings too with families.
Leonard has come and he is gone. But his stay, short one, is a clarion call for actions- by all of Guyana. There should never be a repeat of such an incident again.
It cannot happen. It must not happen.

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