COLONEL, General Staff and second-in-command of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Colonel Bruce Lovell has said the erosion of discipline has resulted in unethical acts uncharacteristic of the Joint Services.

Colonel General Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) addressing the assembly of junior Joint Services officers, while sitting at the head table are from left, Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Winston McGregor; Assistant Commissioner Khrisna Lekhraj of the GPF, and Senior Superintendent of Prisons, Colin Howard.

He added that it has contributed to the tarnishing of forces’ image and the rot had begun before the murder of Bartica gold dealer, Dweive Ramdass.

Lovell expressed the views last September 10, in an address to junior officers of the Joint Services, assembled in the GDF Officers’ Mess, Camp Ayanganna, Thomas Lands, Georgetown, for a command briefing.

A release, from the Army, said he called for the misconduct to be arrested by commanders demonstrating true leadership.

“We have many commanders but few leaders. Officers are commissioned to hold command appointments and they must remember that leadership is central to their command,” he is quoted as saying.

The GDF said he continued: “In as much as the badge of rank is an outward symbol of command, so, too, must your professionalism become visible. As leaders you have to influence your subordinates by providing purpose, motivation and direction to them.”

Also exhorting the gathering to commit to a higher degree of professionalism and embrace the integrity and ethos of their organisations, so that the meaning of selfless and efficient service returns as the forces’ hallmark, were Assistant Commissioner of Police Khrisna Lekhraj, Senior Superintendent of Prisons Colin Howard and Deputy Chief Fire Officer Winston McGregor.

Lovell maintained that a higher level of service is expected of officers and he admonished those in the audience that poor performance and infractions committed by their subordinates must not be tolerated.

He encouraged professional and humane measures to deal with even the smallest of infractions.

Lovell went on: “To ignore the mediocrity of subordinates is to be derelict in your duties. Some have adopted the untenable position that, with a new generation and societal changes, your standards must be adjusted to suit.

EXCUSE
“This is the belief of those who seek any excuse for laziness and ineptitude. We must not compromise our standards for, when we do, it is everyone’s loss.

Remember, however, that, as leaders, you must show compassion while remaining dispassionate.”

In his remarks, Lekhraj reiterated that discipline is the hallmark of good performance and conduct.

“While understanding the realities of our situations, you must recognise, too, the need for continuous learning. As young leaders, you must know your organisation and its objectives, the functions of your office and, in particular, your Standing Orders. Many are deviating from the oaths they took and this cannot continue,” he said.

Lekhraj urged his juniors to engage in some introspection and added: “Focus on strengthening areas of weakness. Revisit your values and ask yourselves whether characteristics such as respect, integrity, impartiality, reliability and accountability are evident to your subordinates, peers and superiors.

“Our roles and functions require our interaction with the public and they will judge us on the merits of what we demonstrate. If we are sincere in adopting positive behaviours, then we reflect a positive image. To do the opposite will result in more negativity being heaped upon us”.

“It is imperative that, as middle managers, you know your mission, vision and values as well as the rules and regulations governing your actions among yourselves and with the public.”

McGregor and Howard reminded the junior officers that, because their actions are consequential, they need to lead by example and cautioned them against allowing negative influences and dishonesty to get in the way of leadership and the dispensation of justice.