I was just about to write on something important when a story captioned “Ranks at Timehri in hot water”came to my attention.

The woman in question armed herself with those photographs and took them to the tabloid which made out her version of what took place, another sordid account of police brutality of an “innocent” victim. Well, come to think of it, that “police brutality” story is furthest from the truth which, thankfully, the tabloid very ably corrected. However, I must admit that in the initial stages, it was hell let loose on the police for committing such a dastardly act. Of course readers of the article would have swallowed the present “culture of brutality” supposedly carried out by the police, hook line and sinker. But all of that amounted to sensationalism when the real facts of the event unfolded. So, here we are, at the centre of another imaginative and novel way to demonize the police.
You can “cuss”, shoot, kill, shoot and loot, and it is all well and good; but when law enforcement comes to arrest you, just concoct claims of “baton” rape, burnt hands, shot in mouth or the latest incident “he fondled my breasts.”
These are the things police men and women have to put up with on a daily basis. The point I am making is, sometimes these claims are so ridiculous that they can be considered outrageous, and something has to be done to stop it.
I have already outlined in a previous letter a sure way the force can put to rest claims of brutality. That is, place hidden cameras in the interrogation rooms. I would further ask that such cameras be installed on police vehicles (dash-cams) to enhance the police’s case of non-harassment when persons are stopped or detained. It would also clear up any misconceptions as to the legitimacy of police action. My point is, those tapes can be reviewed and the lawmen’s burden of proof would have been lodged as clean, clear and aboveboard operations.
An officer has a legitimate mandate to carry out his duty, whenever and wherever he/she is called to do so without fear or favour. This is what the Government and people of this country require of them; and failing this is a dereliction of duty, which is interpreted also as a failure to carry out their legal mandate. Whenever this aspect is lost sight of, then the GPF, and the country as a whole, is in for big trouble. It is tantamount to having a police force of “toothless poodles.”
Then, we can rightly say to those poodles, “go over there” or “don’t go over there  … it is out of bounds.”  Or the “police should not speak in harsh tones  …  it is unnerving and demotivating to the criminal.” After all, criminals have “rights” because they are “human beings” – like they are the only human beings on the planet – worthy of all honour and respect.  The police have no right whatsoever to “speak of, far less to make an arrest,” because of police bashing in the sensational media, that is a matter for the person so affected to determine. Hogwash! The list is endless, that is the do’s and don’t’s of the police force, and if this is not a sick joke then tell me what is.
Whenever such restrictions are foisted upon a state apparatus like law enforcement, then heaven help us. We are in for the making of one big lawless country; if not the lawless country there is. The police cannot be made into a toy for criminals and their associates, because our society simply has no room for such outrageous nonsense. The foolishness of police brutality must stop now.
Permit me the time to ask this question; so what has become of the “bulldogs” of yesteryear? This is in reference to the police force: That fearsome reputation the police of the PNC days were known for. Then it behoves me to believe Hoyte’s statement in its entirety when his party was out of office; he uttered those infamous words “I will make this country ungovernable.” That “ungovernable” word is interpreted as a crime-filled, chaotic confusion, where criminals roam free while law enforcement ranks stand idly by as a bunch of imbeciles: A picture-perfect Guyana formed and crafted by the PNC. And may I add Hoyte was known to have glorified criminals a la Lindon (Blackie) London.
So let me close by saying this; criminals and their innovative tactics are taking full advantage of the political climate enveloping our country. While we go about our legitimate duties, law breakers are seeking out newer ways to carry out their nefarious trade. In light of this developing trend, authorities must rise to the challenge.

NEIL  ADAMS