OPPOSITION-APPOINTED GECOM Commissioner Desmond Trotman, on Friday, raised unfounded concerns about the long-established attire of police recruits.
Speaking to members of the press on the sidelines of polling activities, Trotman remarked: “I saw a whole contingent of persons who I believe to be recruits or lower rank persons with the red ties around their necks. I think the press should be concerned… I’ve never seen it before and that’s why I’m raising the concern.”
However, his comments were immediately met with confusion, since the uniform he described — cream shirts, red ties, and black pants — is in fact the traditional dress code of police recruits and has been a standard feature of the Guyana Police Force’s regimental attire for generations.
Pressed by reporters to clarify his unease, Trotman was unable to provide a clear explanation of what, precisely, was troubling about the attire.
The Guyana Police Force has consistently maintained high standards of discipline and presentation among its recruits.
The red tie, far from being unusual, is a symbol of that tradition and has long been associated with the professional image of the Force’s newest ranks.
By attempting to cast aspersions on a standard uniform, Trotman’s remarks were widely interpreted by critics as out of touch and misinformed. They highlighted that it is once again clear that the opposition has a penchant for sowing doubt rather than contributing meaningfully to the democratic process.