Latest update April 6th, 2025 6:33 AM
Latest News
- High Court bars GRA from seizing Team Mohamed’s luxury vehicles
- Oil spill will hit Guyana’s shores before capping stack arrives to plug leak
- UN says 100 children killed or injured in Gaza every day since war resumed
- Guyana received US$605M oil money in first quarter of 2025
- ‘Tariff war’ spells grave danger for the Region – CARICOM Chair Mottley
Junior Ranks within the GPF continues to be discriminated against
Dear Sir,
“The way you see people is the way you treat them, and the way you treat them is what they become” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
“Be nice to people on your way up because you might meet them again on your way back down” – Wilson Mizner
As we approach the 20’s and as the Guyana Police Force continues to boast about the many changes throughout the Organization, I can safely say that a little or no changes have been made based on what I have seen throughout my two-plus years of service within the Force; especially, as it relates to the treatment of Junior Ranks, which make up approximately 80% of the Force.
Let me first start by saying that during my stint at the Tactical Services Unit; one of the very few departments that is always complaining about shortage of ranks; while stationed there, I was heading to work in my personal attire, and later changed over to the police attire. All of this was done before my working time.
Before this could have happened a very Senior Officer saw me walking into the compound with my personal attire and within seconds I heard “Police, where you going with that f#8king tight pants? Like yuh is a bird or wah?”
I responded to the Officer and said that I am here very early, hence I will have enough time to change over. I also asked him, “Why would you want to ask me if I “is a bird”? That doesn’t concern you.
A few days later I was charged and put on one-week CB and Drills which are used as a punishment for defaulting ranks, I did the drills as required for eight-plus hours and also, I was being made to work another 12 hours. Now that is a breach of Human Rights and the Labour and Public Servant Acts.
I am asking all the relevant authorities including the Commissioner of Police (ag) to look into this and also into the ranks’ welfare.
During that time, I was mistreated and was deliberately relieved very late after meal hours. I can see that they wanted me to miss the meal hours and also no time was given for me to go and purchase something to eat.
These Senior Officers, probably because they are Senior or maybe it is the culture of the Force, continue to talk to and abuse Junior Ranks verbally with many expletives. They also take very swift action to degrade us. It must stop.
Times are changing and we need to adapt. If persons are accustomed to bell bottom pants or skinny fitted jeans then leave every man to his own personal order.
I have seen Junior Ranks being abused until they can’t take it anymore. Some of them cried it off. Some of them are strong, some of them are weak and many of them withdraw legally or illegally.
We cannot be chasing our ranks and then complain about shortage. Have we questioned why our wastage for the year thus far is some 70-plus persons, who either legally or illegally withdrew?
The hurtful part is as if we are locked down. This is because we don’t have anyone to talk to; because the Guyana Police Association which represents three-quarters of the force’s population, is being chaired by an Inspector and cannot instruct, write or speak to any seniors. The Guyana Association of Women Police which is supposed to be looking into the welfare of the female ranks is busy planning fund-raising activities and trips around the world, probably to buy new clothes, bags and watches and maybe shoes.
More so, the Police Welfare Officer cannot do anything. This is because the Office is there but the rank isn’t. That Officer is deemed a Junior Officer and cannot instruct, speak or write a Senior Officer.
Let me end by stating that there is a saying in the Force that “Senior Officers don’t go against each other”. Now who do we turn to for help? What can be done? Will we always be like this? If yes, then this leaves much to be desired and the Force will always remain one way as it relates to Junior Ranks’ welfare.
Concerned Police Constable
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
This must not be our hour of humiliation
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- There are moments in the history of nations when fate lays before them a choice not of... more
The U.S. “Joining” the Commonwealth: an unreasonable expectation
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- Recent media stories have suggested that King Charles III could “invite” the United... more
Weekend Cartoon
