THE highlights that the society is being fed of the Guyana Police Force are mostly negative. Our failure to understand that this force is made up of Guyanese, a majority of whom come from within the ranks of working-class families, is to take them for granted and ignore how important they are to our safety and well-being.

The force is a reflection of our society and the aspirations of its people and we need to take time out to understand the members’ behaviour and what may have led to them not only joining the service, but also the misconduct of some that rightly attracts our condemnation. Ever so often, we hear pronouncements from the Commissioner of Police and management staff demanding certain behaviours from their subordinates that would make headlines in the news. These include being disciplined, turning up promptly at crime scenes, doing professional investigations, and eschewing behaviours that would discredit them and bring disrepute to the force. All of what these senior functionaries are calling for are attributes that are important in delivering service and protection to the society.

Over recent times, we have also heard the commissioner informing the nation about the technical support that is forthcoming from friendly countries. This is commendable, provided these demonstrate respect for our sovereignty and laws. In the presence of the force moving to improve its technical competencies, what remains absent is equal call and attention to the conditions of employment of its workforce. From the commissioner on down to the constable, conditions in pay, benefits, and working environments are less than desirable.

For example, a constable who receives a monthly salary of approximately $70,000, has to meet expenses such as travelling, health, food, rent/mortgage and utilities. If that police constable has a family, in addition to the independent expenses, he has to cater for his children’s education and other welfare. This policeman is also expected to set aside savings to meet emergencies and other circumstances. If the constable is transferred outside of where he lives, it brings with it additional expenses of having to maintain two homes.

Should this rank-and-file officer choose to do another job or create an investment to supplement his income, based on the Police Standard Practice such has to be approved by the commissioner. Whenever there is an emergency or adjustment in the force’s activities, the policeman has no choice but to conform and place his supplementary source of income on the back-burner.

The call for prudent and acceptable behaviours by police officers, at various levels, is acceptable in every society. This call must be buttressed with corresponding responsibility of the principals consistently addressing and reviewing the conditions of employment. Taking a bribe is wrong and where such is known the recalcitrant policeman should be dealt with, consistent with the rules and laws. Conversely, those demanding that the law be applied across the board carry the responsibility to address the conditions of employment of the officers, but are failing in their duties.

The decision-makers need to be told that taking a bribe is the effect of their failing to address low pay, poor benefits and working conditions. Taking a bribe and being involved in shakedowns by the police will continue, though some will opt to turn a blind eye, until such time that clear efforts are made to change the policy on how the police are treated. The country cannot continue to pay unattractive salaries and benefits and expect that every police officer would remain honest to their oath of office.

Yesterday, a policeman stopped me on the East Coast and said: “Mr. Lewis, in the past we received the equivalent of one month’s pay as year-end bonus. Last year it was reduced to $50, 000, this year it is $25,000, and it looks like next year we will get $10,000.” This officer went on to say that it seems to him that the good life is for some, not all. We look forward and expect the police to protect us regardless of the circumstances. It is heroic when persons place their lives on the line for the security of ours. Our policemen and women do this every day and deserve to be treated better.