AS intense investigations continued yesterday into the $17 million robbery and suspected murder of Bartica resident Dweive Kant Ramdass, the police and army deserve to be commended for moving swiftly, with competence and integrity, in dealing with the gruesome and bizarre criminal act against a Bartica businessman.

Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Commodore Gary Best, could easily be singled out for his very principled and reassuring response to what he lost no time in denouncing as a “dastardly” criminal act involving elements of the army under his command.  

Before the criminality involving ranks of the GDF – a most shameful and alarming development, to be followed by elements of the Guyana Police Force in the suspected theft of about $4 million of the looted $17 million – Police Commissioner Henry Greene had found it necessary to stoutly defend his own Force against wild threats of public disorder that came earlier from the opposition PNCR. 

This nation has suffered far too much from organised criminality for a few rogue elements of the army and police to so callously and brazenly tarnish the reputation of the disciplined forces on which the Guyanese people as a whole depend to protect them and this nation. 

The criminal acts were most shameful and alarming.       

Confidence would have been seriously eroded with the separate disclosures of robbery and murder, followed by theft of a portion of the stolen $17 million by those who are being paid from the public purse to ensure an environment of safety from criminality and to guarantee Guyana’s national security.  

In the circumstances, it is worth recalling the response that came last Friday in a statement from Commodore Best:  

Commodore Best, the statement said, disclosed “that the ranks (involved in the case of missing businessman, Ramdass), are identified and are currently in custody. A Board of Inquiry has been launched to determine the circumstances that led to the unauthorized patrol. However, this investigation will not interfere with the investigation that is being carried out by the Police…”

Further, said the statement, “Commodore Best maintains that the GDF is an exceptionally professional organization that will continue to discharge its mandate notwithstanding this dastardly act by rogue elements in the Force.”

He also noted that from initial reports, “It is obvious that there was a breakdown in command and leadership structure at that unit for which strong administrative actions will be taken…” 

Commodore Best has expressed regrets to the Ramdass family for the pain they may be enduring and “assured the citizens of Guyana, the fishing community, small boat and other vessel operators that “the GDF subscribes to the highest of professional standards”. 

All Guyanese who support the rule of law and are anxious for the GDF and GPF to honour their commitment to professionalism and integrity in the performance of their functions, will follow quite closely the outcome of last week’s “dastardly”, shameful and alarming criminal acts, even as the disciplined forces remain vigilant against those seemingly bent on fanning disorder and spreading fear.