Sometime ago, the Police Association representing ranks up to the level of inspectors, voiced its public concern  over what it described as the attitude of some ranks who continue to deviate from the acceptable  norms and from police standing orders. Underlining its strong disapproval of misconduct from ranks, the Association issued this very strong warning that “recalcitrant ranks must be dealt with condignly under the Police Discipline Act 1975 Chapter 17:01”.
This was followed by the Association’s executive visiting police stations and outposts, reminding Service members what is expected of them as members of a disciplined service. How serious have ranks heeded this observation, and warning, could be delineated from the balance sheet of the continuing involvement of policemen in alleged criminal activities.
That this has been a major concern of the current Commissioner Leroy Brumell,is best understood from the many warnings to his troops, since succeeding to the pivotal position.
There was even an instance of him having to effect transfers from a certain division, as reported in the media. Yet, the public has continued to level very serious charges of corruption and conduct unbecoming of members of the Guyana Police Force; and not without good reason.
This has inevitably translated into widespread public disenchantment with the general local law enforcement, and an almost “anti-police position with the passage of time”, as had been pointed out in a prior editorial captioned: “The public’s full respect, faith, belief, and trust in the Guyana Police Force will be won, again”.
Obviously, this ideal has still not dawned as yet on the horizon of serious public mistrust of its protective arm. Therefore, Commissioner Brumell’s recent address to senior officers at their annual conference, during which he  “warned  deviant members that no efforts would be spared in rooting them out”, again  underlines the Police Force’s dissatisfaction at the state of affairs within the general service that has occasioned hostile  public opinion against the Force.
Commissioner Brumell has certainly pin-pointed the areas that highlight public disenchantment and mistrust, inclusive of “neglect of duty, assault, and corrupt practices – including demanding money from the public, bartering to forego charges, and deliberately staying away from attendance at court”. Defined, all of these declared practices, are deliberate, and even predatory, and are designed to knowingly subvert the course of proper justice.
One must give full credit to the Commissioner for recognising the faults, and being prepared to confront, and take condign action against those responsible for acts that seek to undermine the effectiveness of the law they have sworn to uphold, while concomitantly undermining public confidence.
This adds to the further reasons why the parliamentary opposition must give its full, unconditional support to  the security sector  reform measures  recently  announced  by the Honourable Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee.
Opposition Leader David Granger, particularly, knows how important such measures are, and how necessary they should be implemented for the creation of a modern, effective Force, that will inspire respect and trust, while at the same time  protecting  citizens.  
Such measures, when initiated, will undoubtedly  inculcate a new ethos in the psyche of the already serving ranks, and an even clearer reminder to new recruits, that their  main reason for enlisting in the Guyana Police Force is to confront crime and its human adherents, as it is a constant threat to society which  must be given no quarters; that crime is never eliminated by financial considerations,
and as such will only continue to evolve into a more menacing form, presenting even greater threats to society, and to them as upholders of the Law.