Latest update March 29th, 2024 12:59 AM
Sep 03, 2016 Features / Columnists, Freddie Kissoon
There are stories to tell in this country that when they are told, people instinctively will open their eyes then accuse you of little fictions and tiny amplifications. But the stories would be true. It is just that people will be reluctant to believe you because the incidents appear unreal. It is for this reason I try as much as possible to be specific. That is a hard road to travel as some folks will be in mortal fear of their names being published.
A few weeks back I wrote of a situation that was a hundred percent true. I intervened in a police exercise of random traffic stop on the Railway Embankment and while talking to the ranks about their impropriety, my cell phone rang. The caller from Berbice was telling me he was seeing routine stops at Springlands. That description was believable because in my column the next day, I mentioned the caller’s name and employment status since he gave me permission to so do.
Here now is a similar situation though not identical that occurred on Thursday morning. The Acting Police Commissioner rang me twice on Wednesday, August 31 to ask me to come down to his office the next morning, Thursday September 1 at 8.30 AM. He wanted me to have an exchange with police ranks that I wrote about. They had stopped a motorist at random. David Ramnarine is a police officer I have known a long time now and someone I have a sizeable appreciation for. I was immediately reluctant to tell him yes because I know there would be no changes in the distant future in the police force. But I thought I should show Mr. Ramnarine the obligation.
My intention was to go to Mr. Ramnarine after I finished my exercise in the National Park. Guyana’s nihilism got in the way. That morning we found out that our two land lines were not working. When you pick them up, a voice comes on saying; “this number is temporarily disconnected.” My wife was livid. She asked if I did clear our bills. I know I did. My wife was very upset because she always uses the land lines rather than her cell phone. She was expecting two important calls that morning.
I decided I wouldn’t go to the National Park and then go on to meet with the Commissioner. Our phone lines were more important since the internet is linked to the phone. I tried to reach the GTT office early so I could have a neat place in the line. I was not in the mood to see the Commissioner. When I reached home, there was blackout. Then my cell phone rang. The caller in a hurried tone said, “Mr. Kissoon, Mr. Kissoon do something now, the traffic police dem doing random stops at Schoonard.”
I didn’t know who or what was Schoonard. I dialed the number that showed up on my cell. He answered and told me Shoonard is near to Pouderoyen. I got hold of Assistant Commissioner of Police, Leslie James, who is the commander of West Coast and relayed to him what I was told. He was on his way to see the Commissioner of Police so I asked him to convey my apologies to Mr. Ramnarine for failing to keep my appointment with him.
Here I was; scheduled to be in a meeting with the Commissioner to discuss random stops and a caller informed me of random stops taking place. I confess, originally, I was in no mood to see the Commissioner. I am finished writing about these routine halts by the police. I will not pursue this thing anymore. I am done with that. Random stops will go on just as the grass will continue to grow on the parapets outside your gate.
The police force is an unchanging institution in this country. I do not have the answer as to what could be done. I did write that Khemraj Ramjattan’s political career will face severe testing once he became the subject minister. The police force will damage the career of any minister that has jurisdiction over the force. Just pick up the newspaper for any day and you will see the non-stop complaints of citizens. Two days ago, it was attorney, Gino Persaud who got caught in traffic for three hours because there were no ranks to regulate the traffic during road repairs on the East Bank. Then read yesterday’s edition of KN and what happened to a robbery victim at Providence station. Isn’t that a horror story?
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
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