In a week when there appeared to be no relenting in public criticism of aspects of the modus operandi of the Guyana Police Force (GFF), the country’s two leading private sector business organizations, the Private Sector Commission and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) appeared to be on diametrically opposite sides on the issue of aspects of policing, not least the seeming operational anomalies in the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the importance of credible investigations into key aspects of its adherence to its ‘Service And Protection’ motto.
On Tuesday, July 24, the news agency, Demerarawaves, posted a story that quoted the Private Sector Commission as saying that it had no problem with the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU), a Department within the Force, investigating alleged corruption in that law enforcement agency. The PSC’s pronouncement immediately attracted public attention since the fact that SOCU is a substantive Branch of the Force meant that it appeared the PSC was advocating that it had no difficulty with the Police investigating itself. Indeed, Chairman of the PSC, Komal Singh, had also been quoted by Demerarawaves as saying that “SOCU was designed… to be that source to do police investigation and other investigation as it was earmarked to do.” According to Demerarawaves Online News, Singh was saying that in light of grave concerns about procurement-related corruption, where he described SOCU as an “independent agency”. Singh said the police force has “many, many good officers with high integrity” and the few should not be used to damage the character of the entire law enforcement agency.
Singh said that SOCU was best placed to conduct the investigation and Guyanese should allow due process “without forming an opinion” and await the outcome to ascertain whether there was any effort to cover up the truth. “While it has some level of connection with the police force, it’s an investigation and the results of that investigation, when completed… obviously if the findings are one that point in the direction that they were compromised, then at that point in time, I think government will review, in our view… at this point in time we see no reason why SOCU should not be the agency doing that investigation,” Mr. Singh said. He could not immediately say who should determine whether the investigation was compromised. In its statement, the umbrella business organisation applauded government for promptly launching an investigation by SOCU into “allegations of corruption” within the GPF. Ahead of the outcome of the probe, the PSC praised the police force for its “continuous dedication and commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and professionalism.” Mr. Singh also dismissed suggestions that the PSC or he was merely echoing government’s position that SOCU was the “right” agency to conduct the investigations, reportedly asserting that he was not “parroting” any government position.
The PSC’s position, it would appear, is at odds with the GCCI’s on the issue of internal probes. Last week when required to ‘make a call’ on an independent probe into allegations of corruption in the Force, the GCCI was unequivocal in its assertion that an investigation should be “immediate” and “independent”. Describing as “repugnant” “a circumstance… reportedly… about individuals who have been entrusted with maintaining law and order in the country engaging in malpractices, raising serious questions about the credibility and objectivity of the GPF.” A retired Police Officer with whom the Stabroek Business spoke earlier said that the current “cloud of irregularity” that hangs over the GPF is “enormously disturbing,” since, “going forward” the current situation points to a “weakening” of the Force at a time when it is being required to shoulder increasingly demanding responsibilities.
