Dear Editor,
If anyone following the reoccurring fiascos involving the Guyana Police Force, more importantly, the recent allegations of cover-up regarding the murder of ‘Paper Shorts’ and believes the abnegation emanating from the hierarchy of the Guyana Police Force, then we are living in a world of vulgar prevarication. There’s no way a sane person would risk his life and also his family, to seek attention/fame… added to that, the type of persons and institution to make these allegations against. If he is lying, why hasn’t he been sued or charged as yet? Instead of saying that there will be an investigation, the hierarchy of the Guyana Police Force and Government quickly took the podium and sought to discredit Bascom’s revelations.
People get incarcerated for smaller infractions, so without a doubt, Bascom’s revelations are significant. Editor, the main person of interest in the murder investigation is linked to a famous businessman, who also took center stage and cried foul, casting blame on another businessman with all sorts of renunciation, but stops short of calling names. Like a cornered animal, the plot thickens with the secret abuses that are continuously thrown against hapless people by those shielded. Are these people human?
Innocent people are framed, advantages taken against many who cannot afford to defend themselves and many are bought to commit sins against others. Because of corruption/greed, the Guyana Police Force is being looked upon as a lowly paid disgraced institution. Repeatedly, I’ve questioned if many people were not innocently jailed, and reading the revelations from ‘Team Mohamed’s FB page’, I strongly believe there’s no justice for the poor man in Guyana. Whilst many are crying out for proper investigation, and some investigations are conducted properly, it is corruption that causes the innocent to be penalized and the guilty to buy their way out. Reading the businessman’s revelations, one would immediately feel sorry for him, but you should go to Vive la Force and talk to the residents there.
For two years, residents have had to continuously lie on their floor/ground as gunshots rang out when the rich and their cronies started playing with their guns in the Demerara River. For two years, residents made reports to the police and various officials only to be continuously told ‘we got you’ until 14yrs’ old Ryan Persaud got hit by a bullet in his back and died. It’s only then that the world got to know of the daily trauma residents were forced to endure from the rich in Guyana. They are so well connected that, no one was ever charged but the family was given money as compensation for their loss. Today, Ryan would have been around 22 years and his parents have to only guess what he might have become. Such is the power of wealth in Guyana. We all would only hear secrets when someone is affected and in an attempt to defend, other names are called.
Finally Editor, as long as I can remember, the Guyana Police Force has always been plagued with all sorts of issues, namely, the appointment of Commissioners, Promotions, Corruption, etc., and whilst some matters are dealt with assiduously, the issue of salaries and the welfare of its members seems to be unresolvable. Because of their meagre salaries, serving members are easily bought and if this matter is not addressed properly, the Guyana Police Force will always be riddled with corruption.
I recently viewed the payslip of a CID rank and a few around quickly told the officer that he should leave the GPF for GuySuCo, he will earn far more. Whilst seemingly embarrassed, the officer informed me that they work 12 hours a day, without overtime or double on holidays. They can be called out of their homes… with no extra pay. The officer receives $220 for uniform allowance and in total, his salary is just around $80,000. Because of their duties, they can be easily brought, thus, corruption exists. VP Jagdeo hinted at monitoring police doing private work, but didn’t indicate if their salaries will increase to prevent them from seeking extra work for their welfare. Before penalizing them, first, kindly emancipate them from the slavery they are presently in, then put measurements in place. Address their working hours and ensure they are paid for holidays, and extra for overtime, 8hours is the normal daily working hours, not 12.
Sincerely,
Sahadeo Bates
