FROM a child I learnt to obey the rules; not that I liked doing it. Those of you who are familiar with this writer would agree, but my mom would always say when I am being chided for failing to do the right thing, “the law is the law cost it what it may”. This has been my guide ever since, that is, to stay on the right side of the law. It is not always easy to do so, but again I would remember those words the law is the law. I have said the foregoing to highlight certain pertinent facts about Guyanese society today, where observance of the law is concerned because things have become so out of control, that one wonders if the law exists or if it is still relevant to our society.
The bone of contention here is the police force, an organisation comprising individuals who are sent out in the community to ensure that rules are followed; not the most affable of individuals judging from the nature of their job, but persons by which law enforcement must be maintained; custodians of the law if you may.
Now I make reference to a letter published in the Kaieteur News of 30th January written by one Michael Persaud, wherein he claims that his rights as a citizen have been violated by a police officer for issuing him a traffic ticket. He is also calling on the Traffic Chief to deal with the officer who dare to do this to him.
His story runs like this: a routine stop by a traffic cop who requested Persaud’s service and fitness certificates and he gave  photocopied versions. The policeman then issued him with a traffic ticket for failing to produce a valid or authentic  certificate of roadworthiness.
Persaud’s gripe is that the traffic cop was out of place to do so and the usual nonsensical argument followed: that the cop was not wearing a name tag or him being discourteous, all irrelevant indicators to the matter in review.
The point to be  discussed here is, was he in a pleasant mood when he was stopped by the traffic rank. The answer is no, in fact by his own admission “we exchanged words.” In Guyanese parlance, to “exchange words” with someone is contemptuous, which tells you the type of behaviour exhibited by this gentleman, who wants the policeman to be upbraided for doing his job.
I would say Persaud is lucky not to have been issued a charge for such brazen behaviour against a peace officer while executing his legitimate duties. And this is the growing trend in Guyana today whereby lawbreakers are finding every possible reason to justify their position while the policeman is vilified. Of course it would have been easier to do the right thing and save oneself a whole lot of hurt rather than vainly trying to save face.