Dear Editor,

FRONT page news in the Kaieteur News on Saturday December 15th reads “Detective Sergeant Keith Conway is “A” Division’s “Best Cop”, and displays some of the “gifts” and “incentives” the Best Cop received.

Among the “incentives” received is a measly bicycle, for the honourable services rendered by this outstanding Police Sergeant. Is this the best the Police Force can do for this brave policeman, who “solved many crimes, including murders,…apprehension of many wanted persons, and dismantling of criminal gangs…”, putting his life at risk every day to serve and protect the citizens of this country?

The Ministry of Public Security is given “billions” of dollars every year, more this year than ever before, and they cannot afford anything better than a bicycle as an ”incentive”, while the government and City Council waste millions of hard-earned tax payers’ money on “Celebrations” and other wasteful ventures, like payment for years for a bottom house “bond” to store drugs, which were never there, by the way. We don’t even know if that “bicycle” was given by a “stakeholder” and not even the Police Force or the government. No wonder the policemen and women on the streets have to harass persons daily for a “raise”, in order to survive and feed their families. Salaries of the Police should be one of the highest for public officers, in order to discourage the taking of bribes, which is probably the only way of survival for those who put their lives on the line for us. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t condone taking bribes in any way, and would refuse to pay policemen when confronted for a “raise”. The point I want to make is they should never be placed in a position to ask or demand a raise from the citizens.

A car would have been a fitting incentive for this brave sergeant, or at least, a nice motorbike. That would make others vie for that TOP COP position in every Division every year. Give Sergeant Keith Conway a nice car or motorbike. He deserves it, and even the runner-up also should get more than trophies. You can’t feed your family with trophies.

Regards,
Shameer Ali