According to the media, over the last week, some Police Officers have been lamenting the fact that there will be transfers in the Guyana Police Force, usually referred to as a ‘shake up.’
The media claim that some officers are not interested in transfers, and some are comfortable where they are, and so on.This is exactly why it is necessary to have ‘shake ups’ in the Guyana Police Force. Transfers are an important tool of police administration. No one should feel too comfortable in a given area, as this could breed complacency, and even more dangerous negative possibilities. If there is complacency and or other possible sinister realities involved, sudden transfers sharpen the ability of the Commissioner to control and manage.
During the infamous Burnhamite era, when the nation was criminalized by the ban on flour , some senior police officers I personally know in the Upper Corentyne were involved in managing their own smuggling rings, while others provided protection to other smugglers. Sometimes these very officers were used as ‘shake downs’ for their friends. I know this and saw it, and it happened because many officers were there for too long. If they were constantly moved, the possibility of such criminal activity would have been limited.
It is known worldwide that transfers of Police leadership (Commanders) are the norm. It is also imperative that police middle and junior personnel be transferable. In some districts, the beat police developing and working with communities serve an important purpose, and hence, they could be kept in localities/communities for longer periods, even a life time, as we see in the United Kingdom. In this way, they could relate positively (hopefully) and know all the members of the community, good and bad. Children could grow up with them as a kind of God-Father personality, once they, the children, do not break the laws, and even then, the beat police could serve in guidance and career counseling. They could develop bonds with the positives in the society, and help to guide the delinquent and those prone to criminality, while apprehending the lawless.
The appointment of a new Commissioner of Police is always a time of excitement, new ideas. If senior ranks were in districts for long periods, then it is time they be switched around; giving way to fresh innovative ideas, and even better and most important, they could be transferred into new other specialty areas. Areas they were not exposed to previously, to learn new skills, thereby making them more valuable to the Force, and even enhancing their own skills and talents. It is usual for profiles of personalities and qualifications to be done, and ranks placed to suit these.
I am always a great respecter of the Police, the honourable, the decent, and the professional ones. My father was a senior serving police officer and served until retirement. I have since maintained a close association with the Guyana Police in general, and specialised my studies as a Youngman in Police Technology. I will always defend the honourable and the professional. I am proud to be a friend of the Guyana Police Force.
Citizens of Guyana, I ask you , in every community, everywhere, to form groups to help the police. Be their friends in professionalism, and not create alcoholic parties or corrupt transactions, hoping to enjoy an illicit friendship for personal favours.
Promise and commit to pass on information of criminal activities of anyone, even if it is someone you know: of smuggling, or conspiracies, and even those prone to violence in families. The Police is the protector and friend of the people, and in reality the servant of the nation, paid by the people. The Police must never forget this reality also. Form groups to patrol with the police, and even help in donating vehicles, fuel and time. Create a partnership with the police in your district and/or be a part of the management committee.
I ask the members of the police force to always remember that they have to win the hearts and minds of the people with positive contributions in the various districts by forming youth groups to motivate and prepare youths, and attending to the old. It is not unusual for Snr police Officers to form such youth groups; but they should also visit the old and the infirm in bed, to give a helping hand and/or a kind word.
Create now a new dispensation, a new public relations outreach, which goes beyond merely traffic supervision, criminal investigation, and law enforcement. Have a group in every district which will visit the poor or destitute homes, to talk to and befriend those who need just a kind word, a smile. Be more than mere law enforcers that the people should fear. Be the friend, that protector that the people can depend upon; where they know in their hearts that their Police is more than ordinary police; that they are instead the kind guardians, people of worth, protectors in time of need.
I believe that the Police can become more than law enforcers. It is time for that new dispensation. The new Guyana police personality: A force that is true to the mandate to ‘Protect and Serve.’
Roshan Khan
CEO/Founder: RK’s Security and Business Group
Police Technologist
Commissisoner: National Commission of Law and Order
Board member: Prison Sentence Management Board