Latest update April 4th, 2025 5:09 PM
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The City Constabulary is outdated and should be replaced
Dear Editor,
Many years ago a police commander of the ‘B’ division was discharged from the job without pension and gratuity when he went against a directive from Mr. Burnham. It took 18 years for this man’s rights to be restored when Dr. Jagan came to power. Despite the fact that there are certain procedures by the book for the handling of such affairs as well as the removal of holders of constitutional posts, these persons can be removed in the ‘national interest’.
They may well seek recourse to the courts but this process as in the one related above will take an eternity before a decision one way or the other will follow. It is my view that a ‘Commander-in-Chief’ can proceed if he is of the conviction that the action of removing an officer is correct. The ultimate responsibility reposes with him. We cannot fault him herein for the exercise of his deliberate judgement. He will have facts at his disposal that we the people might have. He has to be given this discretion since the ‘buck’ rests with him. If the President feels that heads of the services should be removed in the public interests as fall out from the recent COI, then he should proceed without delay. Delay in matters such as these could prove fatal in the long run.
The Hon. Minister of Public Security’s approach of cajoling and beseeching officers to be mindful of their oaths and responsibilities is certainly not the one to take in this case.
Whoever wants to flout the established SOP’s should be either sent packing or else suffer the loss of significant pay. I cannot excuse the officer who lost both his car and service weapon. He should know that carousing with government property in his possession is not the way to go. The one fingered in the loss of the evidence should be made to pay three times the street value of the goods. This way officers and men would be taught a salutary lesson.
Further I believe that it is time to disband the City Constabulary. This outfit is a waste of tax payers’ cash. The officers and men should be merged with the State Police. Ranks should be deployed in the outlying districts as is normally done with other police. The Force currently needs about 400 ranks. These personnel should be able to significantly make up this number. City property should overlook by a suitable armed private guard service.
Only the Mayor and Deputy Mayor should be given one body guard each and watch guard cover at their homes. The other officers of the City do not qualify for security coverage. I have never seen Messrs. Adams and Mayors given such services and these gentlemen were superb Town Clerks.
It is time to clean up things at City Hall. When an NCO rank has serious allegations of deviant behaviour brought against him on multiple occasions, then it just shows that the City Constabulary has been reduced to the status of a sex club. Whoever is shielding this man should be removed like him from the employ of the City. We citizens certainly do not need this kind of hubris at City Hall.
Recently, I witnessed two armed canine officers patrolling in my street. I think this kind of vigilance augurs well for the Force in the prevention of crime. These officers must be allowed to stop and search persons in the hours of darkness. It might be looked at as an inconvenience, but then any measure that will thwart miscreants is laudable and should be put in place.
Cyril Walker
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