THE issue of rogue cops within law enforcement agencies around the world is becoming one of increasing, troubling concern and is a significant humbug in the fight against crime.

But there is the other side of the coin.
In our capital city yesterday, two policemen were shot dead and a few injured in a shootout with a gunman who was later killed.
Policemen are often called upon to lay their lives on the line, and there are times when they make the supreme sacrifice, all in the line of their duties.
It must indeed be stressful for family members of policemen to live from one day to the next not knowing when they will receive a call saying that their father or husband or brother has been killed.
Today, we offer our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the dead policemen.
However, the problem of rogue cops besmirching the image of the forces they serve is a growing one, both at home and abroad.
One would recall one of the most famous cases involving rogue cops in the U.S. was the matter of the honest and professional Detective Frank Serpico, who was set up by his colleagues who were in league with the criminal world. And they even attempted to murder him because he unswervingly stood to his oath. He eventually had to migrate to Switzerland for fear of losing his life.
A movie was made on the Serpico story starring Hollywood superstar Al Pacino and should be interesting viewing as it is still relevant to the existing criminal intrigues within law enforcement agencies.
Former Jamaican Police Commissioner Hardley Lewin was reported in the media as calling for the retirement of more rogue cops from the force in the interest of the public.
In the past two years, the high command has been on a drive to wipe out corruption from the force and the commissioner wants to ramp up that process.

In an article on August 13, 2013 titled: “Rid Minneapolis of rogue cops” it was reported that:
“This week, the public learned that three Minneapolis police officers were cited for assault in Apple Valley last year, following a racial incident outside a bar. Last week, two city cops were suspended following a bar fight in Green Bay.
“While arguing with Green Bay police, the pair repeatedly used racial slurs, were disrespectful to the local officers and insulted their own chief with an anti-gay slur — and their rants were all captured on videotape.
“Earlier this year, another officer was fired after being sentenced to 43 months in prison for punching and severely injuring a bar patron while off duty.
“What’s going on with Minneapolis police? The three incidents reflect a bullying, racially biased subculture that has existed within the Minneapolis Police Department for decades. Mayors and police chiefs have changed over the years, yet the problem still exists.”
Here in Guyana it has been reported that in the arrest and questioning of five persons in relation to the well orchestrated gold and cash heist in the North West District on Friday, three officers of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) are among the lot, including a sergeant.
Crime Chief Seelall Persaud, on Monday, confirmed that a police sergeant who recently began duties at the location and two constables were arrested and are being question in relation to their roles in the facilitation of the robbery.
This is not the first time that members of the GPF have been connected with criminal activities and no doubt this prompted former Police Commissioner the late Laurie Lewis to remark that the GPF has been infiltrated by criminal elements.
This infiltration of law enforcement agencies is dangerous and alarming and constitutes what our old Guyanese adage warns about: “You cannot put cat to watchman milk.”
In view of this latest incident of involvement of police officers in criminal activities, an utmost priority of the leadership of the GFP has to be the weeding out of rogue cops or else the fight against crime, which has reached unacceptable proportions, will be severely compromised. And this process has to begin with keener scrutiny of those being recruited into the GPF. In addition, some mechanism has to be established to monitor the activities of GPF ranks in their conduct and execution of their duties.