Dear Editor,
I am constantly reminded of the contributions made by great philosophers, who in their own rights examined and wrote theories on varying aspects of societal issues, and how society should function. For the purpose of this missive, I will briefly examine the works of Plato, and show how our own society here in Guyana has veered from established ‘norms.’ Plato wrote, “The whole of society can be organized as an organic whole, with each part doing its part to provide for the proper functioning and prosperity of the whole.” I simply ask, can this be said for Guyana? To make his point, Plato argued that humans are composed of three parts and they should be kept functioning properly in relation to one another as an organic whole, with each part doing its proper work. The parts he referenced are: the soul, which identifies the unity of whole; reason, this allows us to think and contemplate, while spirit deals with desires, appetites, drives and instincts.
Closer to home, our society has degenerated into chaos and lawlessness since the return of the PPP/C to office, August 2, 2020. As shared prior, Guyana witnessed gradual transformation in May 2015. There were changes in behaviour from at the Executive level, Public Service, improved trust between the Guyana Police Force and citizens, even at the level of the Legislature. When Members got out of hand, Speaker Dr. Barton Scotland, CCH took no sides. The Judiciary acted with fairness and operated without prejudice. These arms were allowed to operate independently, as stated by Plato.
Editor, for the remaining of this missive, I turn your attention to what is happening in the Guyana Police Force. Assistant Commissioners of Police (Ret’d), Messrs Paul Slowe and Clinton Conway have been relentless on their program “Speak-ing out and Exposing Corruption.” I am an avid listener, like others to the program, and do learn a lot about the inner workings of the Force and how the laws are to be enforced. Publicly, I applaud them for their ‘resilience and bravery.’
The Calvin Brutus saga is despicable and obnoxious. While the focus is mainly on him, there are other senior functionaries within the Force, to whom allegations have been leveled against. Rather than investigating them, they are the investigators. What a joke! Further, it is disheartening to watch, as a nation, how the regime has been handling and dealing with ‘corruption’ in the Force, whose modus operandi is to “Protect and Serve”. The question here is, how does the hierarchy of the Guyana Police Force expect citizens to have confidence in them, when the Force is perceived to have rotten oranges amongst them? I know many ranks are embarrassed as to what is happening. They are willing to seek alternatives; but given what is happening in the country, they have decided to stay on, until better comes.
In frequent encounters with junior ranks, I get opportunities to observe their behaviour. The reality hits hard to see the level at which the Force has descended to. When drivers are stopped at a road block for routine examinations, the way you are greeted provides solid evidences to suggest that training is ‘non-existent’ and that the Force has lost its true purpose. Several weeks ago, the SWAT team of the Guyana Police Force visited the dwelling place of Assistant Superintendent of Police, Mr. Calvin Brutus and the nation witnessed via social media outlets how that drama unfolded, similar to that situation experienced by my colleague, Mr. Christopher Jones, MP and Opposition Chief Whip. Weeks into the PPP/C Government in 2020, heavy van loads of Police Officers swooped down at his private dwelling place. His house was surrounded, the area bordering his house was also cordoned off by ranks with high powered weapons, and electricity supply went out, his family terrorized.
Four years of the PPP/C in office and the Guyana Police Force has descended into ‘a rogue organization.’ A few elements caused the reckless deaths of innocent Guyanese, Orin Boston (Dartmouth, Essequibo), Quindon Bacchus (Haslington, ECD), and Peter Headley. To date, their families are still crying out for and seeking justice. Editor, the nation must never forget the powerful prayers recited by Force Chaplain, Pastor Patrick Doolichand, who was on top of things which he highlighted from ‘Corruption to disunity,’ within the Force. Was he wrong? Well, two years later, those very displeasures are still extant within the Force. Pastor Doolichand has been vindicated.
As I prepare to conclude Editor, I believe the time is ripe for a total reform, revamping and rebranding of the Guyana Police Force. Also, it is time for a new generation of leaders in the Guyana Police Force to take the helm. I am aware of the fact that there are fine men and women in the Force, not only competent, with experience, but are highly qualified and have the right attitude and aptitude to get the job done professionally without political influence. Finally, the Government does not have to reinvent the wheels, the master plans and blueprints are there. What is lacking from the PPP/C is the ‘political will.’ There is urgent need for all sides to be engaged, in saving the image of this noble organization.
May I also state that the Sectoral Committee on Security of the National Assembly has not been convened by Minister Robeson Benn, MP, since the 12th Parliament open-ed in September 2020 despite the many pleas by Opposition Shadow Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan. Editor, once the status quo remains, our nation will continue to degenerate into lawlessness, eventually leading to anarchy.
Sincerely,
Annette Ferguson, MP.