Corruption continues to stymie Police Force – AFC

While the efforts currently made to reform the Guyana Police Force can be applauded, it leaves much to be desired since it appears that little attention is paid towards addressing “corruption.”

Mrs. Cathy Hughes

It is against this backdrop that Executive member of the political opposition party the Alliance For Change, Cathy Hughes pilots the call for this “cancer” to be addressed in real terms. Hughes was a part of a most engaging presentation recently held at the Chambers of the National Assembly. Presiding over the discussions was Guyanese born Security Expert, Dr. Ivelaw Griffith. Griffith challenged the politicians to think of a word that represents one of the challenges affecting Guyana’s National Security and Hughes’ word was—”POLICING.” To support her position, she said, “When we look at the functions of our officers as enforcers of the law and how this lends itself to the proper dispensation of justice, the results are aptly reflected in the confidence of the people in the Police Force.” “It is one of the major issues that we have. If one were to conduct an informal survey, you would find that this really is a problem. If someone finds themselves in a problem, the last person they want to call is the police—that is the reality we are faced with and I think that is a critical place for us to start if we are to address crime and security.” The Member of Parliament categorically expressed that hindering effective policing in Guyana are several issues, one of which however, has continued to be allowed to grow to a most despicable stage. She was referring to corruption in all its reprehensible forms. However, the politician asserted that in an effort to strengthen the Police Force, firstly, there must be provisions put in place to attract better skilled candidates. This she said means higher salaries. She added, “This means encouraging serving Police Officers to pursue academic and practical qualification in related fields. Currently I think there is no provision for time off.” “The Police must build trust in all communities. Currently, few persons are willing to work with the Police and this hinders their capacity to get the job done as easily. Support from communities has been instrumental in solving crimes in several other countries.” The AFC member then referred to an effective programme, the US’s “Crime stoppers” which allows citizens to give information to the police without fear of reprisals. “If that is successful, then we must look toward changing the perception of the Police Force. Generally, most citizens perceive the Police to be involved with criminal activities. The incidence of the Police being involved in criminal activities appears to have increased. Many of these appear in the local press,” she explained. Further, “We must address the perception of corruption in the Police Force in real terms. This is a major issue.” SYSTEMS AND PROCEDURES The politician also stated that there exists a serious need for Standard Operating Procedures to ensure that law enforcement officers who are involved with homicides are not afforded different treatment, which may result in their ability to evade and not face possible criminal charges arising out of a serious offence. Based on other empirical evidence, she stressed that there is also a need for a system within the Police Force that provides independent verifiable record of the health and safety of persons held in custody at police stations when they come in and when they leave. As it relates to accusations of Police brutality, the Member of Parliament suggested that clear rules and guidelines be established for the Police Force as well as the Medical Institution. “If the Police take a prisoner or suspect or any person into custody, who has injuries or is making a complaint of being injured by a representative of the Police Force, the medical institution should be mandated to report it to an Independent body, a body that is independent of the police.” “The doctor should examine any person brought to a medical institution in the absence of the person (representative of the Police Force) who brought them in and a mandatory note/record must be made of the interview with the suspect.” RECOMMENDATIONS While the AFC member outlines the varying challenges which continue to pose a threat to the effective distribution of Justice, thereby by lending itself to a larger issue-National Security, she proposed a number of recommendations and solutions. Hughes recommended that there be an independent prosecution service and an independent body to investigate the Police. “We need an independent prosecution Service manned by independent lawyers. The police prosecutors in the Magistrate’s court are not qualified lawyers but come up against highly qualified lawyers who everyday defend persons charged with serious criminal offenses.  Police prosecutors do not possess the skills or resources. This is a mismatch,” Hughes said.