Something smells about this transfer

Jul 29, 2018 Letters

Dear Editor,

Guyana read of a startling story of the alleged transfer of an inspector from Berbice, allegedly because he refused to take a call from a civilian’s phone.
The case would boost increasing arguments from the police ranks who have been pushing for a union to recognize them and protect their rights.
According to reports in Kaieteur News, Inspector Godfrey Playter was stationed at the eastern end of the Berbice Bridge at a checkpoint back in March when his team stopped a minibus from the city.
The minibus, Playter said, was stopped by a female rank.
The pass reportedly lacked details and the driver was not in possession of the road service licence.
Playter claimed that he warned the driver and allowed the bus to go.
A civilian in the bus reportedly attempted to hand the inspector a phone, saying that it was his boss on the line.
The inspector claimed that he refused to take the call and it was not explained who the boss was.
He was later admonished by his commander, who told him that it was the Commissioner of Police (ag), David Ramnarine on the phone.
Playter believed from his statements that because he did not take that call, he was transferred from Berbice, to Cove and John.
He said the transfer has placed financial hardships on him and his family.
The Top Cop, in a police statement, claimed that two police ranks were in the bus. It was also claimed that Playter made several unbecoming statements and later apologized to two senior police officers.
Editor, there are several things worrying about the report.
For one, what exactly were two police ranks doing in a minibus that would have allowed the civilian to feel comfortable enough to call the Top Cop?
Was it the force’s business that they were required to leave the city and venture to Berbice or was it the business (personal) of Mr. Ramnarine?
It may help Guyana to understand the nature of the relationship of the men in the bus if we are told what exactly they were doing in Berbice.
Why did the Top Cop not call the policemen’s phones instead of the civilian?
I can recall that police ranks were warned about outside interference and there was a circular sent to ranks not to take phone calls from outside of the force that can hamper their work.
If the ranks were on official business, which records were written up that indicate the instructions were official? Were the instructions placed in the diary? If so where?
Editor, perhaps this issue can raise a debate on the call by police ranks for a union.
In the meantime, maybe the police force can explain to the Guyana public what is the relevance of the inspector’s daughter working at the newspaper and the matter being reported.
Is the police force saying that police ranks and officers should be treated differently from the rest of Guyana?

Frustrated police officer

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