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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 work of Plato, and show how our own society here in Guyana has veered from established ‘norms.’ Plato in his writings stated, ‘the whole of society be organised as an organic whole, with each part doing its part to provide for the proper functioning and prosperity of the whole.’ I will simply ask, can this be said for Guyana currently? To make his point, he argued that humans were composed of three parts, and they should also be kept functioning properly in relation to one another as an organic whole, with each part doing its proper work. The parts he referenced to are: Soul, which identifies the unity of whole; reason, this allows us to think and contemplate, while spirit deals with desires, appetites, drives and instincts.
Closely at home, our society has denigrated and degenerated into chaos and lawlessness, since the return of PPP/C to office, August 2, 2020. As shared prior, I will continue to say that Guyana witnessed gradual transformation in May 2015. There were changes in behaviour from those 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 aptly stated by Plato.
Editor, for the remainder of this missive, my attention will be drawn to what is happening in the Guyana Police Force. Persons, like Assistant Commissioners of Police (Rtd), Messrs Paul Slowe and Clinton Conway have been relentless on their programme, “Speaking out and Exposing Corruption.” I am an avid listener, like others to the programme, 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.’ They remind me of the many great Bible Characters, like King David, who stood and confronted Goliath.
The Calvin Brutus saga is so despicable and obnoxious. While the focus is mainly on him, they 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 of the ranks are embarrassed of what is happening. They are willing to seek alternatives; but what is happening in the country, they have decided to stay on, until betterment comes.
Frequent encounters with Junior Ranks, I get an opportunity to observe their behavior. The reality hits hard to see the level to which the force has diminished. When drivers are stopped at a roadblock by Police for routine examinations, the way you are greeted promises solid evidence to substantiate that training is ‘nonessential’ and 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 the drama unfolded.
Juxtaposing a similar 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 terrorised.
Four years of the PPP/C in office, particularly, I relived the moments of what the Guyana Police Force transcended into, ‘a rogue organisation,’ with a few elements in the hierarchy taking political instructions, allegedly, went after their own colleagues and caused reckless deaths of innocent Guyanese, immediately coming to mind, Orin Boston (Dartmouth, Essequibo), Quindon Bacchus (Haslington, ECD), and Peter Headley. To date, their families are still crying 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 after, those very displeasures are still extant within the force. Pastor Doolichand has been vindicated.
As I prepare to conclude Editor, I believe it is time and the time is ripe for a total reforming, 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 not oblivious of the fact that they are fine men and women in the force, not only competent, with experience, 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 an urgent need for all sides to be engaged, in saving the image of this noble organisation. 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 Opened 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.
Yours truly,
Annette Ferguson, MP
