Dear Editor,
There is a long way to go before Guyana’s crime rate can be considered tolerable. What is even more frustrating for the people is that the Minister of Home Affairs has not established a proactive plan to fight crime. He seems to downplay the seriousness of the armed robberies and murders that are committed on innocent, law-abiding citizens every week. He is spending less time dealing with crime and the people’s business which the taxpayers are paying for and far more time as the General Secretary of Freedom House addressing party issues.
We are told that, up to last month, murders and armed robberies since the start of the year have increased by more than 30 per cent over the same period last year. A major task for the new police commissioner, Mr Seelall Persaud and the Crime Chief, Mr Leslie James is to devise a plan to reduce crime. So far they have failed and so too has the Minister of Home Affairs. The lives of innocent citizens are at risk and it is regrettable to know that the Minister is behaving as if everything is honky-dory.
The implications of a steadily reducing crime rate for the society and the struggling economy are enormous. Safer communities invariably lead to a growth in confidence among the populace. The reverse is also true. However, a greater sense of safety and confidence in the country will definitely trigger economic growth, since businesses are inclined to stay open for longer periods and potential investors would be more eager and willing to invest their money. It could result in a win-win situation for Guyana in general and the people in particular.
Despite the scarcity of resources, (and we blame the Minister of Home Affairs for this) the police must maintain strong and proactive mobility in order to curb the movement of criminals in both the urban centres and the rural areas, especially at night. It is no secret that many criminals, finding themselves increasingly cornered by the police in the urban centres, are seeking to establish themselves in the rural areas.
However, there are major problems with the police force; it is not disciplined, it is unprofessional, it is brutal and very corrupt. Guyana needs a police force that is disciplined, professional and not corrupt if it is to succeed in the fight against crime and safeguard the security of the people. They want a police force that will stick to its motto to serve and protect and not abuse the human rights of citizens. Over the last 10 years, Guyana has got much worse at dealing with the problem of police corruption and police brutality, especially directed to youths.
But the police need to show more co-operation with and appreciation for the people, and see themselves as partners with them in the fight against crime. The police should be working with the people in their areas, helping to build community organizations which will redound to the benefit of law and order. In the end this could lay the foundation for the force to re-establish trust and confidence with the public. The police need the cooperation of the public to help them solve crime; they cannot do it alone. Is the top brass of the police force so naive as not to know this?
In addition, Mr Seelall Persaud and his high command should take a serious look at those officers who are manning the front desks at many police stations in Georgetown and throughout the country. The anecdotal evidence suggests that all too often it is the ignorant, crude, frustrated, and embittered police officers who are left to interface with the public. As history has repeatedly shown, and as any customer relations specialist will readily testify, that approach is just a recipe for disaster. It is up to the Minister of Home Affairs and the Commissioner to act to reform the police force.
Yours faithfully,
AsquithRose
Harish Singh
