APNU now wants “strong security” from “poorly performing” Police –Another reason why Granger cannot be trusted
Since David Granger’s official debut on the national political stage back in 2011, he has taken a purely antagonistic stance against the Guyana Police Force, riddling it with criticisms, and sometimes undermining its effort at enhancing its own image and rebuilding public confidence.
Granger has also made it clear that the Force, in his estimation, lacks the ability to effectively fight crime and criminality. He pointed out several purported deficiencies in the manner in which the organisation is managed and given policy directions, while strongly condemning and politicizing all forms of alleged Police excesses.
Granger has not failed once in rubbishing every single anti-crime plan put forward by the ruling current Administration, rejecting in the process a spate of hallmark reforms expected to transform both the organizational and tactical strength of the Force. Recently, he has also heavily criticized a 15-point security strategy presented by President Donald Ramotar.
Granger, who managed again to emerge as the Presidential Candidate within a coalition of convenience after closed door negotiations, was critical of Government’s decision to appoint Seelall Persaud as Police Commissioner.
That aside, both the press statements and recorded positions of leaders within the Opposition coalition point to a lack of confidence in the Police and Government in dealing with all forms of security situations.
It therefore comes as a surprise that the same Granger-led coalition would now seek to ask the “poorly performing” Police to provide “strong security” for its Presidential and Prime Ministerial Candidate, while hiding behind the justification that the country’s security situation warranted such a request.
Granger knows fully-well that Guyana does not have a “security situation” that warrants such a move when compared to other Caribbean and South American countries, where there are high levels of political instability, ethnic and religious intolerance, and a culture where there are countless coups and political assassinations take place.
He knows that the families of politicians and their colleagues have never been threatened publicly or otherwise with violence under the administration ship of the PPP/C. If the coalition is aware of any threats intended or being plotted, they should quickly inform the public and the Police with the requisite evidence.
But the coalition goes further to say that the security of the coalition’s properties, elections personnel, rallies and public meetings should receive full protection from the same “incompetent” Police.
Again, the public is not aware that the properties or personnel aligned to the Opposition coalition have been the subject of threats, either privately or publicly. How then does one explain the context of these discussions when there has been no precedent or current development to support their concerns?
Ironically, the coalition met with the Force’s management, which included the Top Cop who was referred to as the Police Commissioner in the very release on the meeting. This is despite Granger saying publicly that he would not recognize Persaud as confirmed.
What is the real agenda behind the sudden meeting with the Police? Is it a case where the APNU/AFC grouping is just being extremely cautious because of their distrust in the Guyanese people in the lead to the General and Regional Elections, coupled with their “disbelief” that there will be peace and quiet?
Or does the coalition have a premonition about things that will happen in the near future.
It was Shakespare who said: “All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances, And one man in his time plays many parts.”
The Police must not take this meeting at face value; they must work assiduously to ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order in this country in the lead up to elections.
They must provide all the necessary security so that no stone will be cast in any eventuality, while being mindful of the manner in which the coalition views the Police(Guyana Times).
