A woman leads the Police Force Band

By Tamica Garnett

Women continue to tear down barriers and create history with their achievements all across the world; here in Guyana, Superintendent Charmaine Stuart has been added to the list.Writing her name in the history books, she earlier this month became the first Band Mistress for the Guyana Police Force, which was established 177 years ago, and it is believed that she is the first woman to achieve this feet in the Caribbean.

Her elevation to the post comes after over 30 years of dedicated service in the Police Force. Stuart has replaced Assistant Commissioner Cecil Bovell.

Stuart understands what this accomplishment means for women on the whole.

“It’s really a good feeling to know that you’re the first female band master,” Stuart said in an interview with the Sunday Chronicle. She sported a smile that said she wanted to be humble about what she has achieved, but that she also wanted to scream from the rooftop.

“It means a lot to me because I realize I’m the first female not only in Guyana but in the Caribbean; and for me it’s a boost to a lot of women.

“It makes women feel that they can reach the top – whatever they aim for they can reach, and hats off to those female who reached the top like me.”

“It makes women feel that they can reach the top – whatever they aim for they can reach

Stuart, 51, is not the only one appreciating the change. Several of those under Stuart’s stewardship are proud to see her at the helm.

“It has been a long time coming,” quipped one of the band members. Over 10 years in the band, the Lance Corporal noted that he is proud of the level of eminence that Stuart brings to the position.

“We have some excellent female players in the band with excellent qualifications. So it has been a long time coming and I think we will enjoy the change. We’re still in change mode, but she has been Deputy (of the Band) for a while and we know what she brings – she brings quality.”

Another female band member noted what an inspiration Stuart is to the others. “It’s good because she’s the first female to be a band master, so it’s a really proud moment.”

Though she now serves a role model, she said that there were many she looked up to on her road of development.

“I had three females in the Guyana Police Force that were my role models: Assistant Commissioner Claire Jarvis, who retired; Assistant Commissioner Carol Primo, she’s also retired; and also Ingrid Welcher. Those were the persons I looked up to and admired the way that they carried themselves; they never stood for anything that was not correct,” Stuart expressed.

Being a part of a male dominated arena never got to her. So it was never a question for her when she made the decision to join the Force. She says it’s all about how you conduct yourself.

“When you come into an organization, you have to condition your mind that this is what I’m going into and it’s totally different from what I’m used to and you got to start conditioning your mind to a certain discipline that is expected of you.

“I wouldn’t say there are challenges, as much as I would say it’s how you sell yourself to the Force. If you come with the aim that you only want to achieve and not put in the work, that makes it difficult.

“And you also have to have a love and a passion for the job that you do. If you don’t have a love and a passion for the job that you do you will always have difficulties.”

It all began for Charmaine when she took up music at the Houston Community High School, while she was living in Agricola, East Bank Demerara. She later attended Alleyne’s High School, and subsequently spent a work study stint at the Police Band Room, and found it only natural that she returned there to work when she completed school at the age of 17.

“At Houston Community High…there was a music teacher by the name of Cheryl Jarvis. She used to teach music and dance, and from there I started playing the recorder and then I was sent on work study in the Police Band Room.”

“Realizing that I had the ability to do music, I was taught to play the clarinet and I was taught to read music at the Police band room and that is the reason why I’m still here. After completing school, I thought I should return to the Guyana Police Force band and continue my career. So in 1980, I think it was, I became a band apprentice, and in 1983 I was sworn in as a constable.”

As the years moved on, Stuart continued to move through the ranks, and as the bumps in the road came along, Stuart overcame them with ease and refused to let anything stand in her way of her love for music and being part of the band.

One particular encounter Stuart recalls is when she became and mother and had to learn how to juggle the demands of motherhood and the demands of being part of the band. But thanks to kind support of others, she was able to make it all work out smoothly.
“…when I started making children, the band job sometimes became difficult but then I had supervisors and officers to talk to and they assisted me.
“Sometimes they would say, ‘Look, we have other persons at your stand playing, we can afford to ease you.’
“Sometimes when the band used to play out, I used to walk with them (the children); they used to be on the bus with me. I used to prepare everything for them and I take them along with me.

“So most people know my two sons, because I always had them around me and today their still around me.”

The support continues to pour in for Charmaine, especially since it became clear she would be the leader of the band.
She has enjoying the love from her family especially, describing it as “wonderful, can’t desire better”.

Stuart even joked that her husband, a former member of the Guyana Police Force perhaps even enjoys the limelight more than she does, especially when they meet up with others and persons say, “Wow! Your wife is the Director of Music!”

Earlier this month, Stuart was particularly surprised when she found out that news of her historic achievement was making the round on social media, namely Facebook, with nothing but loving comments for Stuart.

In the end Stuart says she must give thanks to all of those who have been there and supported her throughout her journey; top on her list is God.
“I want to give God praise and thanks for bringing me from where I was to where I am presently because without him I would have been nothing.

“I would like to thank the Commissioner and his admin team, and also every member of the Force who supported me throughout my years on the Force, especially the members of the GPF band.

She also praised her previous boss, retired Assistant Commissioner Bovell.

“I know I can call on him at any time if I am in a difficulty.”