Dear Editor,
On March 27, it was reported by the local press that the members of the Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) team of the Guyana Police Force, have completed initial training. The reports included details of the training and related capacity and proficiency of team members. One recalls that when the SWAT team was launched in February, information was made public that identified the members of the team. The question arises: Is it wise to release all of this information?
I remember wondering, in February, whether releasing the identities of team members could endanger their safety. What are the benefits and costs of the release of a photograph of members of the team? It seems to me, the only benefit is to the civilian political rulers who may gain a few points by being photographed with the SWAT team. On the other hand, the members of the team can now be identified by the public and more significantly, by criminals including drug dealers, money launderers, paid hitmen and other violent criminals who may pose a threat to their safety.
The drug dealers now know the members of the SWAT team by sight, while the police ranks have absolutely no idea of who all their enemies are.
The ranks on the SWAT team may have families whom they live with or visit; how would having their identities made public impact this reality? One imagines that they may occasionally be in public, so do they need to worry about being exposed to dangers from persons who can now identify them?
Editor, I find it difficult to believe that anyone with any security training, policing experience or even common sense, would decide to identify their personnel to everyone, including the potential enemy. Therefore I wonder who gave the order to release the identities of the men and details of their training and capabilities, and for what reason?
One is left to wonder if civilian politicians are using the SWAT team for public relations purposes with total disregard for the safety, lives and future effectiveness of the ranks on that team. One wonders if this was a public relations stunt from the beginning.
Yours faithfully,
Mark DaCosta
