Latest update April 23rd, 2024 12:59 AM
Dec 18, 2011 Letters
Dear Editor,
To put it bluntly, Police Commissioner Henry Greene must go. This man continues to be very controversial despite his high profile position and past allegations of improprieties. Newly elected President Ramotar can ill-afford to have such a major distraction so early in his Administration, and the men and women who serve in the Guyana Police Force deserve a commander who can earn their respect and admiration, one who can be a role model, who leads by example.
Throughout the recently concluded election campaign, I was relentless in my support for the PPP/C. I’ve been called a “soup-drinker”, “racist” and other unprintable derogatory names that I’ve never been called before. I’ve been threatened by known PNC supporters, and I’ve had members of my family dragged through the dirt by both supporters of the AFC and PNC/APNU.
But in the end, it’s all been worth it. Donald Ramotar is our President, and the PPP/C Administration has five more years to continue building upon the Party’s economic and infrastructural development policies.
Being a supporter of the current administration does not prevent me from being objective. As such, I’ve earned the right to be critical of those I believe will impede the progress of my country, and embarrass our new President. Sadly, Police Commissioner Henry Greene and Kwame McCoy both fall into this category.
This recent allegation by a 34 year old woman of being raped by Police Commissioner Henry Greene, is the latest in a host of scandals involving the top cop. Similar allegations surfaced in 1978 and 1994, and the US Embassy in Georgetown believed they had enough credible evidence of alleged ties to narco-traffickers, and revoked his US visa in 2006.
All of the above may well be just allegations, but as the ‘ole’ people would say, “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.” By his actions or by continuously putting himself in compromising and embarrassing positions, Henry Greene has brought the Guyana Police Force into further disrepute.
This reckless behavior, if true, comes at a critical time when the new administration needs to stamp out barefaced bribery among members of the Force, and to restore some level of respectability and credibility to that body.
Henry Greene is past retirement, and has serious medical problems, and should use this as reasons to step down. But failing to offer his resignation now, is the selfish act of an arrogant and pompous Police Chief who feels he’s above the law. Whatever reason Greene was able to weather the storm in the past, the time for him to go is now. By resignation if he has any decency left, or by dismissal… my preferred method.
Donald Ramotar’s credibility, and his vision to improve our economy and the quality of life of all Guyanese must not be jeopardized by a reckless few in his Administration.
And he should use this opportunity to permanently retire Police Commissioner Henry Greene, and to rid himself of the notorious image that Kwame McCoy has painted for himself now that he is before the courts on assault charges.
The new PPP/C Administration has a nation to build with an obstructionist PNC/APNU opposition that is determined to frustrate any effort by the Administration to proceed with the people’s business. The President therefore, cannot afford to worry unnecessarily, or be expected to explain any disruptive personal behavior of those in authority. Guyana has come too far in implementing legislation to protect the rights of women and children for us to simply overlook this allegation.
And if the police cannot effectively investigate Greene without interference or intimidation, then an independent inquiry must be held. Our citizens must be given the confidence to believe that their rights will be protected by this Administration. And those in authority must know that the privileges they enjoy do not extend beyond the law.
The author, M. Shawn Cole once wrote, “You are only as wise as others perceive you to be.” Right now, the perception of the Guyana Police Force is not a very good one in the public’s eye, and allegations of misconduct by the Commissioner of Police are not being helpful. The buck should stop there.
Harry Gill
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