Dear Editor,
I learnt with much grief about the death of an outstanding Guyanese educator Mr. Samuel Augustus Small A.A. News of this irreparable loss struck me like a bolt from the blue. I believe that all those who knew Mr.Small are equally perturbed.
Kaieteur News, Sunday October 18, 2015 carried an article under the caption, `Police Force no longer a last employment option -Top Cop.’ The last sentence in that article stated, “the commissioner also posthumously recognized education stalwart Samuel Augustus Small A.A. for his contribution of human resource development for more than 38 years of selfish dedication to the force , with a plaque to his wife.” This was a fine gesture by the commissioner. I do not know what was said about Mr. Small or what is written on the plaque. As someone who had been associated with Mr. Small for over thirty five years, more so in the area of training and development in the GPF I wish to write about some of the things he believed in, his vision and his philosophy.
Mr.Small’s interactions with the police commenced in the mid seventies when he was the Deputy Principal of the Teachers’ Training College. It continued as Head of the Extra Mural Department of the University of Guyana, The Institute of Adult and Continuing Education, The Institute of Distance and Continuing Education and long after his retirement from public service.
He took the university to the police and the police to the university. As a result of his influence numerous members of the force graduated from the various faculties of the University of Guyana. Some won the Prime Minister’s Medal for being the Best Graduating Student. Many are still attending and others will follow.
Unlike some others he felt that the GPF was not a refuge for uneducated persons and that training should not be treated as an unwanted, unmarried, pregnant step daughter. He urged the police to always keep training on its front burner. Hence, his sustained input in all aspects of training conducted by the police.
Mr. Small was held in high esteem by Police Commissioners Henry Fraser, Lloyd Barker, Balram Raghubir, Laurie Lewis, Floyd Mc Donald, Winston Felix, Henry Greene, Leroy Brummel and Seelall Persaud. His favourite commissioner was Laurie Lewis. They both had a public passion for training and development of the human resource of the GPF.
Mr.Small told us on numerous occasions that what we believe about a person that belief will influence our behaviour towards that person. He explained that we should not see our policemen as ranks, as numbers, as replacements, as bodies. If we see them that way we will treat them as ranks, as numbers, as replacements, as bodies. We should see them as individuals with potential for growth and development. If we do, then we will harness their desires, train them and treat them as human beings.
He opined that policemen must understand behaviour. They must not only understand the behaviour of criminals but the behaviour of members of the public, friends, family and their own behaviour.
Through his intervention the police trainers moved away from the basic chalk and talk method of instructions to question/answer sessions, discussions, individual presentation, group presentation, demonstration, hands-on learning, role play, case studies, action-centred learning, simulations and many other methods.
In the area of management and leadership he was well read. He loved Douglas M Gregor, Peter Drucker, Max Depree, Stephen Covey and many others.
He shared with us Covey’s Life Circle, which explained that in order to be highly effective one must secure a job, be physically and mentally fit, socialize, have a family and develop a close relationship with God. He emphasized that the police cannot do effective policing without God and that if we want to do effective policing we must read the Bible, the Quran and the Bhagavad Gita as there are numerous stories in those holy books informing us how to do effective policing and be good leaders.
He advised us not to succumb to technophobia – the fear of using technology because of unfamiliarity or uncertainty as to how it works. He wanted us not to use the computer as a typewriter but to use it to develop programmes to analyse crime trends, patterns, sprees, series and hotspots to effectively reduce crime and the fear of crime. He believed in Mayor Giuliani and Police Commissioner William Bratton’s Compstat policing that tremendously reduced crime in New York. The Guyana Police Force is using some of the components of that model with a degree of success. He also urged us to at times adapt the 3D’S approach towards policing. That is Data Driven Decisions.
Mr. Small wanted us to live a life bigger than life itself. He stated that we must be an asset to our family, the community and the country. He went further. He received a Caribbean Award for his contribution to adult education in the region and was an executive member of the World Body that deals with adult education. He was a world beater, yet, he was a very simple and humble person. His reward , his satisfaction, his incentive were intrinsic. The Guyana Police Force wanted to bestow a rank on him for his contribution to the force. I was given the task to influence him to accept the offer. I approached him. He looked at me and said, “My brother the rank looks good.” I smiled. He then looked across both shoulders and said,” It is too close to my nose. I do not like the smell of the rank.” He declined the offer. To us he remained Mr. Samuel Small.
We talked a lot about cricket especially when the West Indies Cricket team was dominating the world. I missed the celebrations for his ninetieth birth anniversary. Business kept me away. I apologized to him. I told him that I would be around when he scored his century. He informed me that it was only ten quick singles away. I received the sad news that he died overseas. I felt that perhaps, out of character he was in a hurry to get to that landmark. He went for a very sharp single and was run out. It was a small but fatal error. The third eye made the decision. He is dead. He is on his way. He is gone but not forgotten by the hundreds of police personnel and members of the Joint Services both past and present that he inspired.
To his sorrowing wife, son, daughter, grandson, relatives and friends I wish to express my heartfelt sympathy . May his soul rest in peace.
Yours faithfully,
Clinton Conway
Assistant Commissioner of
Police (Retired)