Latest update March 29th, 2024 12:59 AM
Sep 23, 2013 Letters
Dear Editor,
I was happy to see that the Guyana Police Force seems to be following public opinion as expressed in my last letter. I refer to the almost immediate publication of wanted man Keifa Small’s photograph in the news following last Monday’s fatal shooting encounter between the West Demerara police and bandits, including the late unlamented Kirk Bacchus. I offer my congratulations and I trust that this is the new approach to dealing with all alleged perpetrators in future.
Another issue that I think the police administration should pay some attention to is the proliferation of defective police vehicles. In many instances I observe vehicles without rear lights, and operating in a general state of disrepair while we the ordinary mortals must subject ourselves to vehicle fitness and roadworthiness checks. What, I ask, is the legal basis for government vehicles to be operating without insurance? These are issues that demand attention and remedies if the police expect to be taken seriously.
I have to agree with one letter writer who argued that the Minister of Home Affairs should stop shielding the police administration and let them give account for their performance.
A question that bothers me is how can the public measure police performance, when it looks as if they themselves haven’t a clue on how to conduct self-performance measurement? Do the various categories of ranks and appointments have job descriptions?
The answer to that question would determine how well we the ordinary citizens can sleep at nights. From where I sit and based upon my basic knowledge of policing, there should be position descriptions for all members from Commissioner down to the patrol officer. If those are non-existent, then it is a Wild West scenario with no one being held accountable to any ethical standards or job performance.
I wish to congratulate Rear-Admiral Gary Best for a sterling performance at the GDF helm, and I recommend Sunday September 15, 2013 KN article in his honour as required reading for officers of the Guyana Police Force. The lesson to be learnt from the Rear-Admiral is that we must be prepared to move with dynamism beyond accepted the traditions, which may be stifling an organization and preventing it from developing in the modern world.
I said before and it bears repeating that the GPF is more moribund now than at any other time in its history. There is no evidence that attitudes have embraced the reality that in order to survive change is a non-negotiable imperative. Yes the Force must trumpet its successes but the serendipitous killing of a few bandits can never be an acceptable substitute for an effective human intelligence framework backed by appropriate technology.
I remain convinced that Minister Rohee’s preoccupation with political opposition clamouring is causing him to lose sight of the inefficiencies of the police system. He needs to refocus and deal with those elements of subtle resistance within.
Sylvia St Romain
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
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