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THE primary function of every law enforcement agency is to maintain law and order within its given jurisdiction , ensuring that those elements of society pre-disposed to committing criminal acts are deterred.
This means that the all-important aspect of protecting society against the threat of the criminal horde is paramount, since no state can ever aspire to social and economic prosperity without its daily security guaranteed.
In all of the above, the inherent fact of the individual having the confidence in the forces of law and order must be apparent, since that feeling of protection and safety should be natural. Thus, it is every citizen’s right to expect protection from his/her police service.
But how should one juxtapose this inherent expectation with allegations of police brutality, that have been reported in the print media from time to time? Certainly, these occurrences dispel such an understanding of the police service as a protector of citizens. Rather, the local police service is seen in an entirely unfavourable light, compliments of a rather lengthy list of such complaints by members of the public, over a period of time.
Let us be clear on this issue concerning the Guyana Police Service: that this is not a case of police bashing but rather serves to highlight a particular complaint of its functions, that of citizens being assaulted by lawmen, that have been occurring for quite some years in many parts of the local jurisdictions; aired repeatedly in the press; and have been engaging the Police Complaints Authority.
It is quite common to read of citizens allegedly suffering physically at the hands of policemen in circumstances that have been clearly unprovoked, and at times controversial; leaving much to be desired in terms of the established Standard Operation Procedures.
But there is a truism that must also be understood – that given the peculiar nature of policing and its methodologies employed in its different spheres of operation, types of action have to be taken in order to achieve the desired objective. For example, a police squad that is confronted by armed criminals is not attending a Saturday afternoon tea-party, and must therefore employ tactics in accordance with the challenge. This means that the law must use every method to neutralise the danger. Such must be clearly understood by every law-abiding citizen.
Further, one can understand that in instances where a citizen is apprehended for an allegation, but decides to offer resistance then the law reserves the right to apply reasonable methods of restraint. But then, where such exceeds the demand, that should result in serious physical injuries to the citizen, whether suspect or not, then it is only fair that questions be asked.
There have also been reported cases of citizens being severely dealt with for simply questioning the reason(s) for their apprehension/detention. Such is expected in any democratic state as Guyana is, and where the Rule of Law operates.
Such policing behaviour, of excesses, through the years have only served to create a hostile public, eroding that all-important aspect of community/policing relations. This situation is irrefutable, as it cuts across all social and even ethnic lines. Surely, it must have been one of the many considerations that influenced the formation of the Community Policing Groups throughout the Administrative Regions. This initiative, pioneered by Minister of Home Affairs Mr Clement Rohee, has been working admirably towards retrieving the vital link between the forces of law and the police.
It is instructive to note that under the Security Sector Reform programme, the critical aspect of professionalism will be engaged toward refining the strategies as envisaged for a modern police force.
Let us not forget that any police service that uses excesses against its citizens will court their seething resentment, and non-cooperation particularly in the fight against crime. No state advancing along the road to peace and progress can afford this serious bottleneck.
But this must also be remembered, that the Guyana Police Service is there to protect all, who respect and obey the Law. Such is only fair.
This means that the all-important aspect of protecting society against the threat of the criminal horde is paramount, since no state can ever aspire to social and economic prosperity without its daily security guaranteed.
In all of the above, the inherent fact of the individual having the confidence in the forces of law and order must be apparent, since that feeling of protection and safety should be natural. Thus, it is every citizen’s right to expect protection from his/her police service.
But how should one juxtapose this inherent expectation with allegations of police brutality, that have been reported in the print media from time to time? Certainly, these occurrences dispel such an understanding of the police service as a protector of citizens. Rather, the local police service is seen in an entirely unfavourable light, compliments of a rather lengthy list of such complaints by members of the public, over a period of time.
Let us be clear on this issue concerning the Guyana Police Service: that this is not a case of police bashing but rather serves to highlight a particular complaint of its functions, that of citizens being assaulted by lawmen, that have been occurring for quite some years in many parts of the local jurisdictions; aired repeatedly in the press; and have been engaging the Police Complaints Authority.
It is quite common to read of citizens allegedly suffering physically at the hands of policemen in circumstances that have been clearly unprovoked, and at times controversial; leaving much to be desired in terms of the established Standard Operation Procedures.
But there is a truism that must also be understood – that given the peculiar nature of policing and its methodologies employed in its different spheres of operation, types of action have to be taken in order to achieve the desired objective. For example, a police squad that is confronted by armed criminals is not attending a Saturday afternoon tea-party, and must therefore employ tactics in accordance with the challenge. This means that the law must use every method to neutralise the danger. Such must be clearly understood by every law-abiding citizen.
Further, one can understand that in instances where a citizen is apprehended for an allegation, but decides to offer resistance then the law reserves the right to apply reasonable methods of restraint. But then, where such exceeds the demand, that should result in serious physical injuries to the citizen, whether suspect or not, then it is only fair that questions be asked.
There have also been reported cases of citizens being severely dealt with for simply questioning the reason(s) for their apprehension/detention. Such is expected in any democratic state as Guyana is, and where the Rule of Law operates.
Such policing behaviour, of excesses, through the years have only served to create a hostile public, eroding that all-important aspect of community/policing relations. This situation is irrefutable, as it cuts across all social and even ethnic lines. Surely, it must have been one of the many considerations that influenced the formation of the Community Policing Groups throughout the Administrative Regions. This initiative, pioneered by Minister of Home Affairs Mr Clement Rohee, has been working admirably towards retrieving the vital link between the forces of law and the police.
It is instructive to note that under the Security Sector Reform programme, the critical aspect of professionalism will be engaged toward refining the strategies as envisaged for a modern police force.
Let us not forget that any police service that uses excesses against its citizens will court their seething resentment, and non-cooperation particularly in the fight against crime. No state advancing along the road to peace and progress can afford this serious bottleneck.
But this must also be remembered, that the Guyana Police Service is there to protect all, who respect and obey the Law. Such is only fair.
