What? Islamic ingratitude?
Greetings friends. My file reveals that this piece is the third, in as many years, wherein I’ll recycle my oft-repeated views on aspects of the Guyana Police Force and policing in this, our law-and-order-forsaken society.
Why? Firstly, because the local force is under vigorous, unfriendly scrutiny, compliments of its rogue ranks’ alleged excesses. Secondly, because my heart goes out to this new acting commissioner. Ironically, Mr Brumell is the first top cop that I have no slight connection with, as well as I knew Messrs Lewis, Mc Donald and Greene.
Allow me to repeat then, my basic relationships and premises, before I wish acting Commissioner Brumell “all the best” against all odds, in my own style and manner.
God, then police
Older generations know the expression “after God, is police”. That alludes to the then truism and practice whereby, when attacked by criminals, or facing evil danger, old Guyanese would scream: “Oh God, help, police!” Yes, just after summoning divine intervention, old Guyanese would immediately summon practical police assistance to deliver them from criminal torment or death.
Such was the status and confidence which characterized the “older” police force and the public’s responses to it. To me however, the consequences of the 1962 to1964 political, race-based turmoil threw up challenges for the force which crystallized when Burnhamesque control of the force’s hierarchy became institutionalised as part of the culture of autocratic paramountcy.
Amidst that context I usually invoke – as I do now – Commissioner Lloyd Barker’s dictum during his tenure: “These young policemen have come from the wider Guyanese society now created out there. They are not the most qualified who opt for better-paying careers. And we have them at training school for a few months compared to the lives influenced by their homes, schools, churches as well as many negative elements”
The late Commissioner’s declaration touched on profundity to me, even though there were – and are – those who would argue that a Police Training School should “remould” the minds of its recruits. Huh?
Fast-forward to today’s Guyana and the societal context within which the force finds itself. Commissioner Barker’s words hold true – with dire, new variations. Frankly speaking, I detected an urban wave of defiance beginning at the start of the post-Cheddi Jagan era. The protests of the Janet Jagan tenure throughout to the political/electoral upheavals against Mr Jagdeo, iced on top with the years-long jail-break crime wave all provided an “enabling environment” for a sustained, increased criminal enterprise.
From political leaders to drug barons and their surrogate couriers, Guyana teeters on the brink of social anarchy. We are not there yet, but what is this poor, relatively-unblemished acting Commissioner of Police to do?
He is aware of the variety of pressure his office can be vulnerable to, notwithstanding assurances – of independence – to the contrary. Politics now apply: subtle or overt demands and suggestions from governmental functionaries, now mixed with a more vocal, aggressive opposition, calling for police reform from the top! What is poor Mr Brumell to do?
Poor Commissioner?
Independent? Innovative?
But what an opportunity for a Top Cop to step out of the box! He can still operate within all the regulations and “orders” that bound him to the protocol of the “line-of-command”. However, he must not be (made to feel) handcuffed by the minister, as in the recent Ramnarine issue.
He knows that the good cops in his force are compromised by the publicised activities of the crooked rogues amongst them. Mr Brumell is also aware of the urban and rural and hinterland trouble-spots and the protagonists who promote public mischief therein. He knows that “Sunday School Cops” won’t often quell or put down unrest. He knows which politicians artfully exploit people’s real or perceived grievances. So what is this poor acting Commissioner to do.
I’ll present ten suggestions quite soon. For starters, I advise him to be more public than his recent predecessors. Seek permission Sir, to be seen on NCN only. Let the communities chat with the Commissioner! And, ‘til later, pre-empt the political opposition’s negative moves! (You know the “boys” have intelligence from right within…)
Islamic ingratitude?
Arab? Islamic? What ungratefulness? I caught an intriguing conversation instigated by CNN’s Don Lemon the other night. The CNN anchor had an Islamic Middle East-Expert Professor (at Stanford) offer explanations as to why it appears that the Arab World rejects American influence in the Middle East, with Muslims seeming to be downright ungrateful to the USA.
But ungrateful for what? Well, for starters, the USA, over the past decade and a half, has ploughed billions of dollars into the Middle East. Israel and Egypt got and still get the bulk of those billions. Both the Islamic Professor and you might know just why America invests in certain Arab countries. Oil, general support, influence, balance-of-power can all be factored in.
However, it was conceded that today’s generation of Muslims is aware of past American intrigue, political and economic guile and alleged destabilization in the area, for decades. The two CNN gentlemen came near to discussing how America ensures that she has influence on both sides of the political coin in nearly every Arab/Islamic State. And the pure religious fervour, not ever really understood by the West, adds to the complex nature of Arab-American relations.
The Arab 2011 Spring which ushered in popular but non-institutionalised democracy, has now been introducing an unfortunate Autumn whereby some rogue- American film is a timely excuse for the venting of anti-American sentiments.
Pity a “friendly” American Ambassador who rescued thousands from Libya’s Gaddafi had to die. But we in Guyana should spare time to ponder on Middle Eastern policies. It won’t go away.
Until…
*1) Does the Koran sanction the “doing away with” those who insult Islam?
*2) Could the Police Commissioner dig up three years’ statistics showing the rate of successful prosecutions against those charged with careless, dangerous, and causing-death driving?
*3) I would like one month without seeing, hearing or reading – Luncheon, Benn, Hinds, Green, Maxwell, Kissoon, Misir, Mervin, Willis – and Fenty.
*4) Remember now, my PNC doesn’t have “luck” with Commissions of Inquiry.
Til next week!
