For the police force to restore its good image and public trust, corrupt ranks need to be rooted out, President Donald Ramotar said yesterday, while also urging more quality investigations to reduce failed prosecutions.

“Corruption must be dealt with condignly. You cannot deny that there are a few members of the force who have been tarnishing the good image of the organisation by their involvement in corrupt activities. All forms of corruption in the force must be rooted out,” Ramotar said, during the feature address at the opening Leroy Brumellof the Annual Police Officers’ Conference at Eve Leary. He called on all those gathered to work towards the organisation becoming “an example of cleanliness and transparency.”

President Donald Ramotar addressing the police conference yesterday (GINA photo)

“The police force is just a part of the overall system of justice in Guyana and we must be assured that there are improvements in other areas of the justice administration,” he, however, added, while noting that he had seen some appalling figures on the conclusion of court cases. This situation, he said, needs to be addressed and ways need to be found where the judiciary can complement the police force in the crime fight.

Leroy Brumell

Ramotar further said that police investigations must be thorough and charges must be laid on justifiable grounds, noting that too many cases are thrown out of court and too many criminals walk free “because very often the police does not prepare the case in a proper way.”

Ramotar, in his inaugural address to the Guyana Police Force since assuming the presidency, also touched on his government’s efforts so far to improve the force and future plans but opposition leader David Granger later poured cold water on the presentation, saying it was merely a ‘pep’ talk and failed to address critical issues.

Excerpts from the Stabroeknews