The police force on trial

Nov 09, 2017 Letters

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Dear Editor,
During the course of history, when moral lines become crossed and crass attitudes come to the fore, it behooves those of us who are honest and strong, to stand up, take note and re-evaluate anew.” (Author unknown)
Firstly permit me to extend my condolences to the parents and family of Kescia Branche, the Richard Ishmael Secondary School teacher who met such a tragic demise. However, the unfolding circumstances surrounding her death once again brings to the fore the moral cesspool which Guyana has become.
Having thus said, I am forced to revert to a well-known Guyanese orison—Only God alone can save them. Assisting in the investigation are members of the ranks, one of whom is currently in custody and the other who until yesterday, displayed Houdini –like qualities.
Firstly, permit me to bring to recall the motto of the Police Force worldwide, which is to Protect and To Serve. It is blatantly evident that these members of the ranks were either a no show when ethics was being taught, or they were a force within a force. For far too long the noose of police inaptitude, deceptive behavior, and poor or absent credibility, evidence falsification, utilization of excessive force, improper firearm usage etc. has remained like an untreated haemorrhoid on the orifice of the Guyana Police Force.
This latest saga further serves to highlight the point. Mistrust affects crime fighting, the core of what the police are tasked with doing.
As reported, the ranks, both stationed at Brickdam Police Station, were on duty when the victim came into their view and environment; she was awaiting transportation. Under whose orders did he abandon duty in order to convert the service vehicle into a means of transportation?
At the risk of being accused of jumping to conclusions, it is blatantly apparent that the ride was not being offered as a good will gesture. His colleague, also on duty did not object to the departure, as after consumption at the barbecue he was also forced to leave to respond to an urgent call of Nature.
This is the juncture where the “L I E” misses the “I”, as he clearly states that once he had answered Nature’s call of twenty-minute duration, in the ease of his abode, he returned to the spot to find both teacher and colleague missing, and the motorcycle left as evidence of his colleague’s past presence.
He further claims that thereafter he returned to base. Was any contact made to ascertain the whereabouts of his colleague, seeing that they were both on duty? In our current era of modern communicative technology, this would not have proven an arduous or impossible undertaking—a cell phone would have served as an agent of rescue.
Once he was back at the base, were any senior personnel made aware of the fact that the duty was completed, but that one of the ranks, (who could have been harmed) was not present? Although not an adherent of the police motto he nevertheless was certainly a disciple of the police “blue wall of silence”.
Was the motorcycle left at the eating spot? If so, why was a service vehicle left unattended and in the publics’ view?
The Guyana Police Force, regardless of what may be its current presenting façade is nonetheless guilty of behaviour that involves shades of gray, to a lesser but still disturbing degree there is now an urgent need to establish brighter lines.
The Chief of Police has been seen and known to chastise the public whenever the behaviour of the ranks is brought to the fore. Based on this matter at hand, that has gained public and media attention, would the Chief still be pondering or wondering as to the reason for the apathy and lack of respect shown to his members by the public at large.
In an effort to further demystify the afore-mentioned seemingly enigmatic statement, may it be understood that there is no allusion or inference that all cops are bad. However, in this instance we have representatives of the Police Force who should be protecting and serving the public behaving instead like the rogues they are.
About three weeks ago, Mrs. Paula Hamilton, the Principal of St. Rose’s High School, in light of the serious lack of moral values present in the school, called on parents to play a greater role in their children’s lives The truth be told parents do have a significant and essential part to play, but not at the risk of excluding those individuals with whom the child also spends part of his or her day.
As a former member of the pedagogical profession in Guyana, teachers were called upon to serve as role models in all spheres of the child’s being.
In other words, the teacher was a significant feature in the life of the student. A medical examination conducted on the deceased revealed sexually activity within her last 24 hours.
Is this act contributory to the circumstances leading up to the state in which she was found? Why is the second cop, who may be the assailant not around, or cannot be found? In what role was he cast – Protector or Server?
Driving the larger point home, this case tragic as it is, cries out for the Police Force and Departmental Heads to once again, examine the selection and pre-employment screening policies.
In- service education and training is essential as well as the cultivation of a culture of support among members. Law enforcement agencies live and die by its existing rules and protocols and above all chain of command.
Whenever internal investigation and disciplinary action are necessary, every effort should be made to administer measures that are fair without fear for those who behave fearless and/ or careless.
Also let it not be overlooked that the behaviour of the ranks is also indicative of gross disrespect and insubordination to say the least. As the saying goes, a dead man or dead woman tell no tale. While this may ring true, the members of the rank in question certainly have two to tell and it had better not be long ones or wrong ones.
Y. Sam

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