THE Guyana Police Force (GPF), yesterday, hosted a farewell parade, at the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) Drill Square, Eve Leary, Georgetown, for retiring Assistant Commissioner Paulette Morrison.
Welcoming those gathered, Assistant Commissioner Leroy Brummel said Morrison has been a long standing, committed member of the GPF.
“Today, the Force loses the service of an officer who has given over 34 years of dedicated service. We wish her a happy retirement,” he said.
After inspecting the ranks on parade, from the TSU, the Female Unit at Headquarters and others, Morrison expressed her gratitude to her family and friends, as well as members of the GPF, for their unwavering support throughout her years of service.
“I have fought the good fight, finished the course and kept the faith,” she declared.
Morrison also acknowledged the integral role that the GPF has played in her life and said she is honoured to have been a part of a “cog in the machine.”
“It is difficult for me to realise that I am leaving the GPF and I have not the slightest doubt that the Force will get along very well without me,” she admitted.
Morrison said she has no regrets as she has gained tremendous skills and experiences in various divisions and branches of the Force and they will serve her well in civilian life, regardless of the hardships she has endured over the years.
Adversity
“I did not allow adversity to make me bitter,” she remarked.
Morrison offered some advice to the remaining members of the Force, encouraging them to be honest in their interactions with members of the public, committed and punctual, expeditious in their handling of matters before them and to be polite and willing to serve.
“As Police men and women, there are times when you will have to use force. Do not use it unnecessarily,” she cautioned, adding that, with continued dedication of its members, the image of the GPF will be improved.
Directing her remarks to the female members of the GPF, Morrison challenged them to work hard and maintain high moral values and integrity.
“You have given me a splendid parade and I will always cherish this memory,” she stated.
Morrison pledged that, even though she is officially retiring, she will continue to play a role to assist in moulding the lives of young people.
She joined the GPF on November1, 1976 and was given the regulation number 0734.
Morrison served in ‘A’ and ‘D’ divisions, Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Special Branch, Public Relations Office, Felix Austin Police College, Immigration and Passport Office, Office of the Commissioner and Department of Development.
During her service, she attended Canadian Police College and participated in overseas meetings, workshops and seminars and underwent several local courses and management training at the junior and senior levels.
She got her first promotion, to the rank of Lance Corporal on New Year’s Day 1985; then to Cadet Officer on November 24 that same year before becoming Assistant Superintendent on November 24, 1986; Deputy Superintendent on March 1, 1991; Superintendent on July 1, 1991; Senior Superintendent on January 1, 2001 and Assistant Commissioner on January 1, 2005.