Shortage of police, or an abundance of wrongdoing

Dec 18, 2022 Letters

Dear Editor,

From the dawn of civilization, we had instances of civil discontent caused generally by injustice and the heavy-handed use of State resources, also, the improper deployment of those institutions (Police, military), which were designed to protect citizens and not pummel them into submission. Throughout human history, power in the hands of those committed to bullying has been the curse of mankind.

Thursday, I attempted to visit the Magistrate’s Court on Avenue of the Republic and Brickdam. I encountered barriers manned by approximately seven policemen. This experience was similar as I approached the southern and eastern entrances of the Court. At that time, His Worship the Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine and Sherod Duncan were in Court to answer charges laid by the police. I wonder how it is that the Guyana Police Force that claims to be short staffed could deploy in excess of twenty ranks and five senior officers and an unknown number of plain-clothes police. There was no riotous condition to warrant this massive show, of course, while daily decent citizens complain that when they visit police stations in and around Georgetown, they are told of a shortage of police officers.

I get the impression that we have an oligarchy pushing us to the disaster of a dictatorship As has happened before, this group in charge is possessed of the same attitudes and beliefs of an old imperial master, who used the arms of the State to pummel and punish those who dare to express contrary views and to seek justice, freedom of expression and association. This attitude runs counter to the essence of democracy, the characteristics of decency and the right of citizens in an open democratic society to express different views from those of the ruling elite. Since this matter is before the Court, it will be improper for me to comment, save to note that I understand the Mayor simply posed a hypothetical question.

But what is worrisome is this. The GDF issued a strongly worded Statement discharging Mayor Narine as a Reservist. When the reserve Force was established under the Theme “ Every Citizen a soldier,” it was to deal with mobilizing our citizens to counter the sweat of Venezuela to the West, Surinam to the East and the Atlantic to the North. There is nothing I know that the Mayor has said or done to warrant this egregious and strong statement of condemnation dismissing him as a member of the Army Reserve. Those of us who are aware of the purpose and intent behind the establishment of the Reserve regard this statement by the GDF as Pure, Political Posturing and I believe as I now do ask the Commander-in-Chief, President Ali for some justification. Then, we have out of control, SOCU, part of the Police Force, the killing of Orin Boston at Dartmouth and that matter will soon be gathering dust from the files. A simple female Constabulary rank Shawnette Bollers, is allegedly verbally assaulted by being called a black monkey, but highly connected Attorney Nirvan Singh is not charged by the police. Police took no action but exercising our Constitutional right to justice brings private charges against Attorney Singh. The DPP, Ms. Shalimar Ali-Hack, using I feel quite capriciously the powers invested in her has the matter discontinued. Same story. Meanwhile, charges against Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General, Anil Nandlall that alleged the theft of law books were also discontinued by the DPP. Ms. Tremaine Clarke, an Attorney-at-Law is arrested violating her civil liberties, same pattern. Police did nothing, so she sought legal recourse against the three SOCU Officers, Superintendent Rammana, Sergeant Persaud and Sergeant Singh and the DPP Ali again had that matter discontinued.

All the above has and is taking place under the watch of His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali. I take comfort in the words of an Abolitionist, Wendell Phillips from Massachusetts, “Justice and humanity have been fighting their way, like a thunderstorm, against the organized selfishness of human nature.” Dear Editor, as the people of Mozambique in Africa continued their efforts for human dignity, justice and equality, Dr. Eduardo Chivambo MondIane made these two words “A luta continua,’ the rallying cry as they fought against Portuguese oppression and later Samora Machel followed suit as he became the first President of independent Mozambique. I say A luta continua – the struggle continues.

Hamilton Green

Elder

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