Dear Editor,
I perused with keen interest a letter written in Kaieteur News on June 21, captioned, ‘A question on the Medal of Service’. The writer did not find favour with the lone female police officer receiving the Disciplined Services Medal, because never before according to his recollection had this medal been awarded to a senior superintendent. This is complete inaccuracy and total distortion of the facts. Here are some irrefutable facts: In 1998 Superintendent Harlington Samuels was awarded the Disciplined Services Medal. I was at the investiture ceremony when President Janet Jagan pinned the medal on his chest. Fast forward to 2002 .The following officers of various ranks were bestowed with the Disciplined Services Medal: Special Deputy Superintendent Edgar Persaud; Senior Superintendents Frederick Caesar, Lynette Charter, Phillip Adams, Malvin Glasgow, Greta McDonald and retired Superintendent Eustace John.
I can also recall that a former Head of Linmine Security ‒ I cannot now recall his correct name, but we use to call him Yacoob ‒ was awarded the Disciplined Services Medal when he held the rank of Superintendent. He rose to fame when he wrote the British army pointing out to them a flaw in their Drill Manual. The army apologised to him and amended their manual. Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Slowe DSM, a drill expert, is quite familiar with that issue.
Roydell Phillips lamented the fact that of all the active Assistant Commissioners, including the officer currently serving in the capacity of Assistant Commissioner Administration, only one officer was worthy of receiving a medal. Here again the writer got things wrong. The current serving Assistant Commissioner Administra-tion is a Disciplined Services Medal awardee. He is David Ramnarine DSM, presently Acting Commissioner. I believe that very shortly he will receive the Disciplined Services Star, which is the highest award for the police. The female officer in question is Maxine Graham. She is the police Staff Officer. She richly deserved the National Award. I wish to congratulate her. Let us not distort history but look forward to more police officers of diverse rank levels receiving many more prestigious national awards.
Yours faithfully,
Clinton Conway
Assistant Commissioner
of Police (rtd)