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The “bad ones” in the GPF – How few is few?
Is there no end to the diseases in the blood of the Guyana Police Force? Is there no pause to the sickening stench that comes from this national organisation on which so much depends? Is there to be no comfort for this society that cringes from the almost daily disclosures of serious wrongdoing?
Repeatedly, it has been said that there are only a few bad police officers, who give the institution a bad name, who make it scorned for all that is wrong in this country. Therefore, for purposes of discussion, let that (few bad bananas) be the starting point. To be relied upon as what truly prevails in the Guyana Police Force. There is one problem: any dispassionate agreement that there are only a handful of the errant falls apart and takes down believers and supporters with it.
First, some understanding is sought. What really is meant by “few” in terms of the bad ones? And what does “bad” mean? Second, though difficult to swallow, let it be advanced that it is not 10%, but more; because if it is 10%, then the argued-for 90% of righteous cops are a sorry bunch indeed. Third, if the rogues in the GPF are 25% that still leaves a mighty army of 3 out of 4 incorruptible cops. Emphatically, if there is only this small (questionable) number of rogue cops, that means there is in the Guyana Police Force an overwhelming number of clean, honest, professional, principled men and women, who wear uniform and rank and call to duty honourably.
Fourth, it means that that overwhelming number of good cops would stand as a respected, and feared presence against the mere thought of wrongdoing, against the appearance of wrongdoing, and against (God forbid the temptation) any actual involvement in wrongdoing. But where is this overwhelming, angry deterrent, of seniors and juniors, of men and women, of the upright and the untouchable who stand for what is fair and just?
If they are there, that would be most encouraging. But where are they? Where is this 75% (or even 60) of the admirable and inspiring? Where are they in their silence and by their absence and distance? Help is needed here. Because the first truth is to be truthful to self. And because these continuing arguments and postures of a few rogues are not only part of the corruption, but also signify that a small mob of dangerous men and women are running the GPF; that they overpower a helpless and useless majority. Who is protecting whom in this country?
Because if there is this powerful presence of a great majority of ethical and dedicated officers, how is it after all these years of seasoning and knowing, they know nothing? See nothing? Find nothing? Report nothing? Stand for nothing? When murders, rapes, gunrunning, and trafficking are exploited and covered up?
Moreover, it could be understood if the so-called few dirty ones get involved in occasional petty, hard-to-detect sporadic under-the-radar solicitations. It stands to reason that the crafty could get by if matters stay far apart and small-time, that the uniformed perpetrators could get by suspicions, stings, even surveillance.
But officers have to partner with others (supposedly clean); report to desk commanders (similarly clean); and form part of the oversight of the more senior (given every benefit) near and far up the line. No one is operating in a vacuum. Seniors have travelled the law enforcement trenches, are familiar with the rewards from this society, and know who are players, givers, concealers in this country.
The seniors and juniors know each other: who is prospering inexplicably; who is consuming lavishly; who is standing in the GPF as undeniable examples of things done wrong. Yet there is this farce and folly: a few only.
A whole lot does not add up. If only a few, how much better Guyana would be. Only it isn’t.
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