THE announcement by Commissioner of Police, Leslie James, that Sydney James will be replaced as head of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), again signals that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is determined to not only shed that battered image of itself, burnished as a result of an unfortunate dark night of this nation’s recent past, but to also develop a strong professional ethos where leadership, administration and accountability are upheld to high standards.

The fact that James is the second most senior rank that has been investigated within recent times, with the results of the other still pending– sends a clear and unambiguous message throughout the Force and the nation in general that any rank, regardless of seniority, will now be held accountable for any action that serves to tarnish both his/her rank, or which brings the institution of law enforcement into disrepute.

All this is said despite the GPF attracting negative public attention within recent weeks. However, be that as it is, it should not detract from the many positives that have been emerging from the institution, inclusive of creating a better police officer, and an institution as envisioned by the Security Sector Reform Programme (SSRP).

What must be appreciated about a police organisation that is emerging from over two decades of political interference and degraded professionalism that has spawned so many shocking and embarrassing incidents, that has lowered its morale and produce a type of police unworthy of the sworn oath to serve and protect, is that change does not come suddenly, or overnight. It is a work in progress, which has started to produce results in many areas of daily law enforcement.

In so many of our opinion pieces, the focus has been on the GPF; and this has been so because of its key role in the maintenance of law and public order which has to do with protecting the citizens and making society safe. Implicit in this most important undertaking is the disciplinary code which has been emphasised as setting the esprit de corps for the operational ethic of any military/para military organisation, albeit the GPF in this instance.

It has been emphasised that this code of conduct must be seen to apply across-the-board to all ranks, rather than only weighing against junior personnel, as traditionally had been the case in the GPF. And without being prejudicial as to the final outcomes of the individual matters pertaining to both officers, the fact that such high ranking officers– one on accusations of personnel misconduct, and the other, regarding findings of the organisation, SOCU, which he headed, deemed as “damning” by Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, and which has caused him to be replaced– points to the fact that it is no longer going to be business as usual with regards to the more senior officers of the GPF, with respect to personal conduct and administrative accountability, whichever may be the case.
As is known, SOCU was established to investigate matters pertaining to organised crime, which had become an indelible part of Guyana’s social landscape over the past two decades. And quite the contrary to the usual voices calling for its disbandment, fearing its probing power, such a unit is essential and central to combatting this criminal scourge since its personnel can be described as crime investigative specialists. It means, therefore, that such an arm of the GPF is expected to be of the highest propriety in its own personal conduct. There can and must be no compromise where this expectation is concerned. For any police agency, whose internal conduct runs contrary to its primary mission, is bound to ring alarm bells, as has been the case with SOCU. It brings into the immediate spotlight its administration and accountability process which is the engine that sets the daily beat and pace.

The response has been swift and uncompromising, as in both cases investigative action has been taken, with definitive action taken in one instance. It is a fundamental shift that focuses now at the top, where disciplinary, administrative and accountability, and standards of behavioural conduct must begin.