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It is time this nonsense stops

Jul 25, 2024 Letters

Dear Editor,

English essayist William Hazlitt describes envy as “a littleness of soul, which cannot see beyond a certain point, and if it does not occupy the whole space, feels itself excluded”.

Recent weeks and months have unveiled such envy beyond measure, in relation to the nation’s top law enforcement officer. It is unprecedented. It is time this nonsense stops.

The efforts to bring this decent gentleman to his knees have been unrelenting. The clear indications are that there are individuals in his immediate orbit who are intent on leaving him dispirited and broken. I am compelled to comment on these shameful attempts to publicly lynch him.

Since Clifton Hicken assumed the role of Commissioner of Police, his stated mission has been to transform the force to a wholly professional entity. Anyone who doubts the efficacy of his methods would be pulling wool over their eyes. Commissioner Hicken has been the most prominent proponent of contemporary-style policing. He understands its importance in realizing and maintaining safer neighbourhoods. The strategic plan is being implemented to a ‘T’, and has created an atmosphere of academic advancement and professionalism among the members of the force.

Capacity-building has been a primary focus. The need to “get with the programme” has seen great improvement in the attitudes of the ambitious ranks. There is purpose to their everyday activities, and great anticipation for the future. The country as a whole will ultimately benefit from this methodology being properly implemented and maintained. Like any other Police Force or institution where discipline is paramount, there will always be challenges. Those can be addressed objectively and skillfully.

That being said, mechanisms are in place to investigate allegations against anyone, regardless of their position in the Guyana Police Force. There will be scepticism, but for the most part there is accountability and transparency. That is why the worrying trend that burgeoned immediately after an investigation commenced on a high-ranking senior officer is so offsetting.

The plethora of misinformation, innuendo, vitriol, mud-slinging is disturbing to say the least. And vicious character assassinations are being carried out with impunity against the Commissioner who can only act on that which is brought before him. He cannot pre-judge.

Careful analysis would’ve shown that the letter in relation to the Crime Chief was leaked. The Head of SOCU came in for his fair share.

Strangely enough, there was no mention from Social Media influencers and commentators about the new hierarchy in Administration. Maybe it is too new; but that would be for another day.

In my humble opinion, members of the public such as myself should not be misguided, or I daresay blinded, by what is currently prevailing. It must not be lost in the thick fog of envy and jealousy that Commissioner Hicken’s main focus has been, and I know still is, to develop capacity in the force, and appropriately prepare the impressionable youth – our leaders of tomorrow.

I want to tell the amiable Commissioner that frankly he needs to get off his rear end – where he has obviously assumed the moral high ground for way too long – and bring litigation against those who have incessantly defamed him, besmirched his good name, and tried to break his progressive spirit.

Commissioner Hicken is not being cast as a paragon of virtue in this missive, but he has proven himself to be a role model. Thus my advice to him is to not rest on his laurels, while allowing the envious and jealous around him to continue, uninhibited, feeding the frenzy of hatred.

There will always be bitter fights to be Commissioner; that has reached new depths during Mr. Hicken’s tenure. It has gone so far that political parties have joined the misinformation campaign – accusing him of ownership of property that belongs to the government, and receiving benefits from same. Again, the public is urged make their individual assessments, and not be unduly influenced by partisan politics within and outside of the Guyana Police Force. The law-abiding policemen and women deserve better. It is grossly unfair to paint all and sundry with the same brush. We must support the Force, for the benefit of our ever-growing communities and the country at large.

Yours Faithfully,

Sherwin Crandon

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