By nature police work is one which demands sacrifice, dedication, discipline and toughness and therefore it is not an easy profession by any means. Those who chose this career must be commended because apart from all the deprivation of the “good life” enjoyed by other citizens police officers are constantly exposed to the risk of losing life and limb.
This is even more pronounced in today’s world of increasingly murderous criminals, criminal conspiracies, organised crime and the illegal business etc. The days are gone when criminals would think a million times before they kill or injure a police officer, On the contrary these days police are killed and injured almost with the same ease as civilians and in extreme cases are even subjected to well planned assassinations. It was only a few years ago, one of the most dreadful periods in our history, when over two dozen police were killed by criminals as part of a large plan to destabilise this country and create anarchy.
And therefore while wrong doings by police must be condemned and dealt with appropriately we must also equally remember and tangibly demonstrate appreciation to the police for the yeoman service of providing protection and maintaining law and order in society.
One of the mistakes that is constantly made in our country is the instances of unprofessional behavior by a few police officers are used to taint the entire Guyana Police Force (GPF) which largely has dedicated and hard working men and women who make tremendous sacrifices-sometimes the ultimate one for our safety and protection. Perhaps, this is because of a general tendency in this society to over empahsise negatives and ignores or de-emphasises positives, thus creating an erroneous impression that no progress is taking place here.
Nevertheless, it was most pleasing to learn via media reports that some $9M was given out to police officers for outstanding performances on the job. While this can never compensate these dedicated members of the GPF it will certainly serve as motivation and inspiration and also demonstrates that their good work is recognised and appreciated.
At the awards ceremony Police Commissioner touched on a most current and pertinent issue and that is professionalism and it was heartening.
According to the Top Cop the main focus of the GPF is to maintain integrity and professionalism and in this regard he said 25 training programmes are being undertaken. This is certainly the road to go as it will definitely help reignite confidence in and respect for the members of the GPF which has been waning in recent years because of the unprofessionalism of a few “bad eggs.”
According to political scientist William Ker Muir “Professionals understand the need to gain and maintain proficiency as the demands of their profession evolve. The officer who does not
maintain his expertise can sacrifice his status as a professional.”
“Maintaining that expertise is a responsibility both of the professional organization and of the individual himself. For their part, police department managers have a duty to provide continuing education and to encourage their personnel to consistently improve themselves.”
“The expertise of police professionalism, as has just been noted, includes both expertise in skills such as firearms proficiency, proper arrest procedures, and vehicle pursuit tactics as well as expertise in communication skills to help the officer persuade others without re-
sorting to force. A good police officer is able to communicate effectively even under conditions of extraordinary pressure and stress.”
“When such an alternative is feasible, the officer is a better servant of
the people than one who is equipped only to employ overt force. The
ability to combine physical adeptness and tactical communications
proficiency allows an officer to accomplish tasks impossible with
physical abilities alone.”

THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) yesterday paid out $9M to some of its members, community policing groups (CPGs), other special groups and performers for good and outstanding work.
At the function, in the Police Officers’ Mess Annexe, Eve Leary, Georgetown, the Special Branch got $200,000; Criminal Investigations Department (CID)Headquarters $300,000; C, D, E & F and G Divisions $350,000 each; Divisions A and B $300,000 each and Tactical Service Unit (TSU)$500,000.
But Assistant Commissioner Leroy Brumell, responsible for Administration, said, this year, 981 members of the Force were awarded for good work.
He said $60M was disbursed in 1999 and $7M in 2009.
Addressing the gathering Commissioner Henry Greene said the main focus of the GPF is to maintain integrity and professionalism and 25 training programmes are being undertaken.
He said, despite the challenges, some ranks have been giving of their best, due to the significant improvement recorded in Police work.
Greene appealed to members of the GPF to conduct themselves in a professional and responsible manner as, sometimes, some of them make mistakes.
According to him, the Police work day and night and have had a significant number of the so-called bad eggs weeded out after they were identified by the commanders.
Greene said, with the human resources 700 plus short and the turnover rate, the GPF has managed to maintain a controllable level of crime.
Even though there are some unsolved crimes, the Police are working on patrols and they are out in the streets fighting criminals, he stated.
Greene pointed out that Police work is not office bound and, as such, all ranks are required to be out in the streets.
Sterling performances
He said the GPF has had positives and there is a lot to shout about, looking at the records, on which he commended ranks for their sterling performances.
Greene added that, so far, this year, 86 members of the GPF have been criminally charged and the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) has had 63 complaints made against policemen and women.
In comparison, he revealed that, in 2001, the OPR received 168 complaints; 179 in 2008 and 135 in 2009.
Greene said the GPF is not allowing its members to do whatever they want and warned that errant ranks will be dealt with accordingly.
Giving statistics, he said, in A Division, there is a minus nine per cent reduction in crimes; minus 19 per cent in B Division; minus 31 per cent in C Division; minus 18 per cent  in D Division; minus 20 per cent in E&F Division; minus 20 per cent in G Division and minus  35 per cent overall.
Greene reported that, up to now in 2010, 70 persons were murdered but noted that the suicide rate is even higher.
He lashed out at the media and said they must get the records before making statements regarding unsolved crimes and such matters.
Greene said all ranks who perform well must be rewarded and that is why the GPF makes awards twice yearly.
He acknowledged that the Police blow their own trumpets as a way of motivating the ranks who work diligently.
Balanced reports
Reiterating that, sometimes, the Police make mistakes, he charged that the slightest one is blown out of proposition by the media and he urged them to make balanced reports with regard to the GPF.
Alluding to fatal shootings by Police, Greene said there were 31 in 2002; 36 in 2003; 15 in 2004; 10 in 2005; 25 in 2006; nine in 2007; 17 in 2008; 14 in 2009 and four in 2010.
He announced that, this year, there was a decline in people being shot and killed by the Police and, after the one at West Bank Demerara, the GPF has issued flyers to all ranks on patrol and they are being trained in the “minimum use of force” and the “use of firearms.”
Greene said there has been a decrease in road fatalities this year, as compared to last year and he attributed it to the use of the
breathalyzer and the radar gun, which have impacted drinking and driving under the influence.
About persons making reports to the Police in all divisions, he reminded ranks that they should take the statements, once a person visits the station and act in spite of where the crime has been committed.
Greene said no one should be turned away and Police ranks must desist from making statements about people’s private lives and do their job.
Citing an example, he spoke of a woman going to a Police station, sometime ago, to report that her car was taken away by a man and a policeman told her to go and look for him herself.