True to form, without an iota of evidence the party sought to blemish the character and professionalism of the Top Cop.

For the PNCR, it seems professionalism means working hand in glove with it to undermine the government and on this score it worthwhile recalling that the party’s former leader infamous “kith and kin” exhortation to the police during 1997 when it sought to bring down the government through its “slo fiah mo fiah” campaign.

The party should note that Guyanese will never forget how the PNC when in government used the police to spy on, hound down, harass and intimidate political opponents; Guyanese will never forget when the party directed the police to unleash dogs on protesting rice farmers; Guyanese will never forget when the party forced the police to sell its newspaper the New Nation on the roads; Guyanese will never forget when the party flag was flown over court buildings under the doctrine of paramountcy of the party; Guyanese will never forget how the police were used to frame up Arnold Rampersaud with murder. So the PNCR should be the last entity to make an accusation that the police force is being politically directed. On this note it would be interesting to hear an explanation from the PNCR on the resignation of Superintendent Dick LaBorde from the police force.

For the PNCR that was not politically directing the police, but now because they have lost political control of the police force which today is adopting a professional stance and is not carrying out the dictates of any political party the PNCR is attempting to create something that does not exist.

But this behaviour by the party is not surprising because currently it is mired in intense internal wrangling and historically it has always sought to use diversionary tactics when it finds itself in trouble.

The party is very worried too about the revelation that the Ministry of Health fire was politically motivated and the political architects have been identified. It would be reasonable to assume that had not the police unearthed such information it would not have been accused by the PNCR of being politically directed.

And so it is heartening to see that the Top Cop has been forthright in rebuffing the spurious claim of the PNCR.

In a statement over the weekend, he said the party’s charges are a direct attack on him, his senior officers and by extension the Guyana Police Force.

He referred to the Police Act governing the operations of the force, noting that this was in force during the period when the PNCR was in government.

“The Office of the Commissioner of Police wishes to reiterate that the Guyana Police Force is apolitical and challenges the PNCR to produce evidence of the day to day political direction and the rogue cops working under the current administration who are given political cover,” he said.  

The PNCR’s credibility has suffered much in recent times and it should realise that making unfounded claims and allegations will not help it. In fact, it will only help to hasten its demise which for the first time in its history seems a likelihood based on the internal squabbling and the acrimonious exchanges between leading members just prior to its upcoming congress.