Dear Editor
In Guyana, corruption is a good word to start a confabulation with or even better to initiate an argument. Kaieteur News, Thursday, December 09, 2021 screamed, “Don’t let corruption limit your access to climate change financing – CDB President tells regional governments.” On the same day, Stabroek News posited, “Strong anti-corruption stance will show gov’t committed to transparent institutions – US ambassador.” Those were bold statements made at functions in observance of “International Anti – Corruption Day.” Both headlines made the front page of the respective newspapers. Recently, 3 civilians were charged with offering a policeman a $700,000 bribe. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry on Amerindian Affairs appeared before the Court on a $200,000 corruption charge. 2 ex GDF ranks and a businessman were charged with corruption of over $700m in fuel. Let me be pellucid, I am not for one moment suggesting that the persons involved in the alleged corruption are guilty of the charges. I believe in the maxim, “innocent until proven guilty.” I hope that the police, particularly the infamous SOCU, will observe the rigorous standard of criminal prosecutions that is to say, “proof beyond a reasonable doubt.” That is the basis on which someone is charged or not charged. The police have not done so in many cases, more so, those matters that are politically motivated. In addition, the media and elsewhere are awashed with diverse issues and concerns in relation to corruption in Guyana.
Please permit me to again join in the conversation on corruption. What is corruption and what can be done to stem the flow of corruption? This missive has a law enforcement bias, but it can be equated to other organisations and departments in Guyana. The key elements of corrupt behaviour are that the conduct is (1) prohibited by law or rule, (2) involves misuse of position and (3) involves a reward or personal gain for the officer. Corruption is a corrosive element that spreads like rust if not contained or eliminated. The causes of corruption are complex. Many factors can contribute to corruption, including greed, personal motivators such as ego, sex, or exercise of power; tolerance of the behaviour by the community; socialization from peers, and/or the organization, inadequate supervision and monitoring of behaviour; lack of clear accountability of employees’ behaviour; and no real threat of discipline or sanctions.
Corruption is of concern because police in the fields and elsewhere are exposed to numerous opportunities to benefit personally from action they take against criminals. They may be offered bribes or come across huge amount of cash or drugs. They may feel overworked, underpaid (quite rightly so) and therefore entitled to take what they consider just compensation for the risk they face on the job. According to Wayne W Bennett and Karen M Hess in their book, Management and Supervision in Law Enforcement, “Accepting gratuities violates most department’s policies and the law enforcement code of ethics. Even the smallest gifts create a sense of obligation. Even if nothing is expected in return, the gratuity may create an appearance of impropriety. Although most officers can discern between friendly gestures and bribes, some may not.” “Yet, when any member of the police force is found to be corrupt, hundreds of hardworking and honest cops suffer. The problem of police corruption affects agencies and departments of all sizes, in all areas of the country.”
Sherman’s ‘Slippery Slope of Corruption’ posits that police corruption begins with a lowering of ethical expectations and values to attain a gratuity of minor value, for example, a free Chinese lunch or a couple of free beers or some money to buy gas or tickets to attend an event at Providence National Stadium. Although these actions in themselves are most likely harmless and inconsequential as a corrupt force, it may overtime produce a snowball effect, leading to an officer accepting gratuities of larger magnitude. Furthermore, such practices often lead to those providing the “freebies” to expect preferential treatment by recipient officers. Most times when the “freebies” are not readily available, officers will make demands and even demand with menace. Strandberg (2000) notes, “Corruption takes on many forms, and something seemingly insignificant can put an officer on a slippery slope, leading to major crimes.” Research repeatedly confirms that most scandals start with one employee doing relatively small unethical acts and grow to whatever level the leadership allows. A good starting point to reduce or eliminate corruption is to eliminate the code of silence.
The code of silence encourages ranks not to speak up when they see another officer doing something wrong. However, it may be difficult in many cases to choose right over wrong, as it takes courage, because persons who make ethical choices often subject themselves to social and professional ridicule. Ethical decisions build personal character, but not without pain. Four times US Olympic gold medalist gymnast, Simone Biles, who is considered one of the greatest gymnasts of all was severely criticised for testifying against disgraced US Gymnastic Team doctor, Dr. Larry Nassar, in relation to sexual assaults committed on her and over one hundred gymnasts. She suffered anguish before and after testifying at the US Senate hearing. The infamous doctor is presently serving a life sentence in prison. Back in Guyana, a young policewoman recently found a computer bag containing a laptop computer and a total of $1m Guyana and USD. She traced the owner and handed over the articles to him. She refused his offer for a reward. The police administration gave her a substantial amount of money for her honesty and integrity. However, naysayers, including some members of the GPF, used the social media to criticise her for her honesty and integrity.
Fulton (2000) stresses, “Police commanders must exemplify the honesty and integrity they seek in their subordinates.” In addition, “Ethical mentoring and role modelling should be consistent, frequent and visible.” In a previous article I mentioned McCarthy’s (2000) seven steps that can help prevent or reduce corruption. It is apposite for me to highlight them again. They are: (1) Recruit with great care. (2) Establish appropriate policies and put them in writing. (3) Adopt a good employee evaluation process. (4) Make sure that your sergeants share management’s philosophies. (5) Develop regular anti – corruption inspections and audits, and (7), implement ethics and integrity training into every training activity.
Sincerely,
Clinton Conway
Assistant Commissioner of Police (Ret’d)
