MINISTER of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee’s announcement on the major overhaul of the Guyana Police Force, is indeed very much welcome, and definitely long overdue – the latter opinion, especially given the very negative view of the nation towards its law enforcement agency and its mode of operation. On examination, these changes represent the most comprehensive yet, on the professional conduct, operational mode, and future direction of the Force. There is also provision for public oversight of these initiatives, a definite citizenry preference.

Particularly noted, is the accent on professional training and academic furtherance of force members. This is very thoughtful and visionary, since the two areas are inherent of each other apart from the fact, that the time has come to match the well organised planning and execution of crime, with modern and scientific thinking approach to countering the latter.
It is to be noted that recommendations from the Disciplined Services Commission deliberations are being implemented, which will complement those just announced by the minister.
Also included in this repair are the Guyana Prison Service and the Guyana Fire Service – the latter to some extent.
It is time that the perception of imprisonment, shift from the colonial tradition of being punitive, to that of correction and rehabilitation, which must be to the benefit of the errant citizen with the view of preparing for his/her eventual return to society.
All these proposed changes have as its mission the preparation of a better Police Force, equipped with the intellectual capacity to combat today’s very smart criminal.
But will these very worthy plans be supported by the parliamentary opposition, which entire modus operandi so far has been anti-national? Not very likely, if one is to be guided by comments from both individual parties via their mouthpiece, Demerara Waves. In fact, in a released statement, both parties do support the plan, with the AFC’s leader reported as “going as far as to laud components of the plan”, and that he had advocated “civilian oversight” a long time ago.
Both parties’ problem, they emphasise, is with Minister Rohee’s leadership of the programmes. Now, for the sake of rationality, how can one accept the interventions as conceived under the minister, but yet in the same vein, deem his leadership as incompetent, with the frantic reason that there is no hope for their implementation under his guidance. Is not this another of the great contradictions from these two groups, particularly APNU, who ought to know better?
These are the kinds of changes within the local policing body that have long been anticipated, and are certain to be supported wholeheartedly by a public and citizenry that have been advocating change within the GPF.
How can Granger, a member of the Disciplined Services Commission, who has been scathing of Minister Rohee for not implementing changes with the Force’s structure, not support the latter, citing reasons of leadership? This is as baffling, as it is asinine.
Failure on the part of the political opposition to support these changes means a delay in changes that will produce better policemen with refined skills, hence greater efficiency and effectiveness in the administration of the Police Force in its overall operational strategy against crime.
The Opposition must now publicly declare whether they are on the side of progress, as it pertains to a better and more competent law enforcement agency seeking to protect the nation against every present criminal threat.