CHRONIC PROBLEMS!
Dec 21, 2017 , https://www.kaieteurnewsonline...21/chronic-problems/
There is something that is not right in Guyana and is actually preventing it from developing. In terms of basic governance, decision-making and proper education and health care services, Guyana remains locked into an era long gone by. And nowhere is this chronic problem more evident than in government institutions, public officials, political leaders and the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
As a nation, we inherited from the British an unoriginal mentality that we have not been able to shed after more than 50 years of independence.
This mentality has led to the failure by governments to diversify the economy. It continues to hold back many of our brilliant, creative and innovative citizens who have succeeded in the arts and entrepreneurship. This problem, which has become chronic, is evident in our leader’s inability to create jobs, reduce poverty and homelessness, end corruption and provide better health care, educational and social services to the masses. It has contaminated the minds of many in an already problematic and corrupt Police Force to deal effectively with crime and gangs.
While the Force seems to have established a better grip on the crime situation, its top brass has been accused of lacking the competence and leadership skills to step up and end the unprofessionalism that has plagued the institution for years. This void in leadership has over the years reduced confidence among the members of the Force which has not been able to establish a good rapport with the public.
Since Independence, we have had many good, competent and respected leaders in the Force who have led with pride and honour. Today, there are quality leaders, but not in the numbers that would make a significant change.
The actions of a few senior officers and rank and file members have not only cast a dark shadow over the Force, but they have also led to distrust among the people who believe that many of the crimes committed had the blessings of some police ranks. A very depressing situation.
We have read repeatedly of the alleged involvement of ranks in robberies; there was the reckless behaviour of ranks with a school teacher who was later found on a roadway; then there was the attempted murder of a policewoman by a male rank who committed suicide, followed by the shocking allegation against two ranks, who have been charged in the October slaying of 58-year-old businessman Godfrey Scipio.
These incidents have prompted the Minister of Public Security to acknowledge that something is terribly wrong within the police force and urgent action is needed to solve the problem. The Commission of Inquiry (COI) report into the alleged assassination plot against President David Granger cited a number of irregularities by some senior officers which have placed the entire force under a cloud of suspicion at a time when it needs strong and decisive guidance to improve its image.
In the midst of the chronic problems, came an influx of gifts from the Chinese government in the form of several police vehicles, equipment and weaponry to help the police fight crime. However, in as much as the physical resources are needed to help fight crime, they alone will not solve the chronic problems in the GPF. It will take honest, decent and dedicated men and women, uncorrupt leadership and the political will by the ruling elite to do so.