Police – may it be a real new dawn

Jul 07, 2022 Letters

Dear Editor,

The Guyana Police Force celebrated its officers promoted to senior ranks on Tuesday, and it was occasion for the brass to appear. Minister Benn, acting Top Cop Hicken, and PSC Chair Bishop Findlay all graced the occasion and congratulated the newest layer to the cream of the GPF. The words of acting CoP Hicken arrested me, when he said that this should be seen as “the dawn of a new era” (SN and KN July 6). It is worth repeating “the dawn of a new era” for it is of stirring simplicity, yet possesses such profoundness, because of what it could mean for both the GPF and the people of Guyana, none excepted.

There are many things, which I wish to say about this expectant hush of the “dawn of a new era” for the GPF; I take a positive approach, not skeptical one, today. Too much is in the hands of the GPF, and despite histories of being in the wrong hands leading to the wrong outcomes, the thought-indeed, vision and hope – is that this time it will be truly different, and not be one more false dawn, another failed era, of regret and reciprocal recrimination. I give the acting CoP and the Bishop Chair (even the minister) the benefit of trust, by saying that they are sincere, though I don’t know why I do so. Perhaps it is because if we don’t have a professionally functioning GPF, then the alternative is frightening.

If we have an old dawn then all we will have is what we have had forever, be such in the forms of suspicions, speculations, conclusions, and the unchallengeable realisations of endless corruptions. In the end, those mean more pain and anguish, more uncertainty and agitation, on the part of the Guyanese people; those who have to defend it come what may, those who take offense at its actions, whatever those are and whichever dark, damaging places they lead.

The dawn of a new era in the GPF would mean where I can trust from the supreme commissioner to the simple constable, most, if not all of them. Most regrettably, I don’t of most; and when I do so, there is the awareness that the Guyanese people agree with me on this one, including those PPP brothers and sisters who thrive on despising ‘naysayers’ like me. Help us to reverse that outlook, give me something to work with, and I am capable of supplying with a river of powerfully pleasing and thought-provoking phrases more sublime than the dawn of a new era for the GPF, but only as such can be confirmed by circumstances and the people standing guard over us. Nothing would delight more. Nothing would give me the spirit to give back to those of whom so much is being asked (to paraphrase the scriptural excerpt put to spirited use by Mr. Hicken in his opening remarks).

But first, editor, he and his people have to live up to the glory of that dawn and let it extend by every lawful method and practice into each and every hour of every day and for the benefit of every citizen in every corner of this country. It is a crooked country, which is the first of many challenges; and a divided and hostile one, too. To address these weaknesses, the GPF cannot be of the exact same internal makeup as those over whom they stand as sentinels. That is, crooked, hostile, and divided. We need men and women of honour, and I begin with Mr. Hicken; yes sir, I do not spare any rods, anyone either. He must set the standard, a high bar; I am willing to forget yesterday, start over, like I begin each day with a little learning, a bit of forgiving, in the quest for some more understanding.

How much we need all this, and we can get this much yearned-for, this elusive dawn that has never dawned yet. But only if we are genuine and honourable, and all the way from the top. I look beyond acting Top CoP, Bishop, minister, to the heights.

Sincerely,
GHK Lall

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