AS PUBLIC talk continues over claims by retiring Assistant Police Commissioner, Paul Slowe, about alleged corruption and other illegal practices among ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), two factors stand out:
First, the obvious: Why did Mr. Slowe, who has proudly declared his ‘integrity’ and dedicated service, wait until his pre-retirement leave to speak so strongly about claimed corruption and bad, illegal practices within the GPF?
Secondly, why the continuing public silence, or non-reaction to ASP Slowe’s disturbing allegations by the association that represents members of the GPF?
What we have been witnessing since Slowe’s expression of “shame’ over his claim of “out-of-control corruption” in the GPF, are largely the interventions of cabinet ministers (Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee and Attorney General Charles Ramson), opposition political groups and elements; and, of course, letters in the media.
Surely the body that represents members of the GPF cannot be unaware that while Slowe may have good self-serving reason(s) to say what he did, it is the image and integrity of the ENTIRE police force that remain at stake.
Separately, therefore, both Police Commissioner, Mr. Henry Greene and the Police Association have an obligation to offer a public response to Slowe’s sweeping allegations of corruption, and more, about which, as he has himself admitted, he kept quiet and inactive until his recent media intervention.
Sadly, in EVERY Police Force within the Caribbean Community, there are rogue cops whose corrupt and other illegal practices undermine the integrity, and tarnish the image of the institution that is expected to uphold the rule of law in serving the population at large.
The GPF is one of these infected regional institutions. When long-serving police officers, like Paul Slowe, choose to ignore or fail to take appropriate actions, and expediently wait until retirement time comes around to ‘mash-up’ the integrity of the GPF, they should not expect applause.
Rather, such complainers should share the ridicule that belongs to the claimed perpetrators of corruption and other illegal activities for simply closing eyes and mouth as a matter of self-interest instead of showing decency and courage.
Home Affairs Minister Rohee may have come across as being quite harsh in his reaction to Slowe’s complaints/allegations as reported in the media. But in expressing his ministry’s “extreme disappointment” in a press release, Mr. Rohee made an observation worth repeating:
“The Assistant Commissioner, in some of his bombardments in the media, has tacitly admitted that matters of improper conduct and other infringements allegedly committed by ranks were brought to his attention, but he failed to take action as a senior officer… By his own words, he may be guilty of dereliction of duty…”
Political opponents and critics of Minister Rohee and the government he serves would not wish to concur with his reasoning. But Slowe himself would certainly be hard pressed to deny the minister’s argument against his failure to act appropriately when it really mattered.