Dear Editor,
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has performed admirably in many perilous situations in the past and is worthy of high praise.
However, I am appalled at the report in the newspapers (dated, January 10, 2008) about the manner in which the high-powered guns, ammo, and other equipment were unearthed in Mahaicony.
According to specifics in the newspapers, the police were responding to an incident based on information received. A normal individual would naturally ask, “Why were the police unprepared to handle such a precarious situation?” There have been umpteen times where criminals have escaped the long arm of the law under similar circumstances.
It is ironic that the Government of Guyana has spent billions of dollars to equip the GPF to handle situations such as the Mahaicony incident. The newspapers further reported that “Upon arrival in the area the police said they saw three men aboard a boat. The men opened fire on the police who returned fire. The men, however, abandoned the boat and escaped into some thick bushes north of the canal.”
It is unfortunate that, perhaps due to the lack of a sufficient contingency of police officers and appropriate fire-power, three dangerous criminals have escaped. Why is it that such situations have to occur again and again? When will we learn that we must respond with ultimate force when reacting to potentially dangerous incidents?
I respectfully request that Police Chief review his policies on responses to potential criminal activities and take appropriate action such that the Mahaicony escape incident does not recur.
Yours faithfully,
Anand Persaud
