IT is a given that  for every crime committed within the  community, there is someone who  can say who did it, where, and at what time. Therefore, without much argument or  contradiction, a  community’s assistance to law enforcement authorities is both necessary and indispensable in bringing wrong-doers to justice and combating crime in general.

The fact is, the community as the first line of defence against crime, is criticality understood only too well by the Honourable Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Clement Rohee, as he promoted the concept, and oversaw the installation, of Community Policing Groups throughout the country.

For this, the minister  must be commended, as he has laid the foundation for a strategy, that with public support, will bear great fruit in the future fight against criminal activities in Guyana.

In Guyana, this tradition of  citizens doing their  duty in assisting in the battle against crime, once a  hallmark of civic pride in those halcyon days when citizens believed that crime must be punished, and the days when  a policeman was an epitome of unconditional respect, have all but  disappeared, due to complaints and allegations of unprofessional conduct against members of the Guyana Police Force.

Decades ago, policemen being accused of acts unbecoming of  their  solemn oath to serve and protect, were unheard of. Not so, these days,  since policemen appearing in court over serious allegations are as frequent as civilians on similar charges.

Taking a  time span of the past five years, the Police Complaints Authority has been receiving numerous complaints of misconduct against some  members of the Force, apart from the groundswell of similar reports usually aired in the media. These complaints of a varied nature, often include the common denominator of disrespectful behaviour towards the public.

The public has with time become very disenchanted with the type of  behaviour by policemen, often described  as predatory, uncouth and brutal, resulting in many instances of open resentment and hostility towards force members. Simply stated, the general public no longer views  the Guyana Police Force as an institution to support  for the public good. Therefore, it is no small wonder that this stance of withdrawal of support has coincided with dozens of serious crimes, inclusive of murder, not being solved.

Thus, the not-so-long-ago,  forthright  announcement by the Police Association, representing ranks up to the level of inspectors, that it is concerned  “about the attitude of some ranks who continue to deviate  from the acceptable norms and from police standing orders” is indeed  supportive of the public’s disgust, and anti-police position with the passage of time.
The fact that the Association’s executives have been making visits to  police stations in the various divisions must be  indicative of the Force administration’s awareness that such unacceptable conduct among its ranks may be  responsible for the  chasm in the working relations with the  public, and the necessity  for the image of the  institution that it represents  to be corrected.

Hence, it’s a very strong statement that “recalcitrant  ranks must be dealt with condignly under the Police Discipline Act 1975c Chapter 17:01”

This most recent statement, echoes previously made calls by the Force’s high command, and is the most profound to date. It will be welcomed by a nation, somewhat cynical about the role of the local policeman in the nation’s drive against crime.

Full  credit and commendations  then  must  be given to the institution’s administration  for taking this bold and transparent approach as regards self-examination. There is no doubt that this step, as well as other measures taken against errant policemen throughout the years, will result in the desired changes for an improved image. It must be noted particularly, that policemen are now being placed before the courts on charges for felonious acts; an indication of the GPF’s intolerance of members who ought to lead by example.

There can hardly be any debate as to the continued importance of the role of  the  policeman in any society. He/she is a most integral part in the war against crime. Remove him/her, and society will be overrun by the criminal hordes. There can be no deviation from this given.

Certainly, the Guyanese public  will continue to  support  a police force, whose members not  only conduct themselves lawfully, but who will also treat the public in a courteous manner.

Only then will the modern   public believe again in the Guyana Police Force, in the same manner as their elders once did.

The public’s full respect, faith, belief,  and  trust   in the Guyana Police Force will  be won, again.