Guyana is witnessing a dangerous loss of public confidence in its institutions, and the Guyana Police Force is increasingly at the centre of that crisis.
The latest video involving the Leader of the Opposition raises disturbing questions about the account the Guyana Police Force gave the nation. The apparent inconsistencies are serious. They call the credibility of the Force into question, and the public has a right to know what happened.
I have been involved in Guyana’s political and parliamentary affairs for decades, serving two terms as a Member of Parliament and later as Opposition Chief Whip. I understand the importance of institutions that can act independently, follow the law and answer for their conduct. A democracy is in trouble when the institution entrusted with enforcing the law faces serious questions about whether it followed the law itself.
Let me be clear. The Guyana Police Force has to earn the public’s confidence. Press statements and political assurances do little to restore it when new evidence keeps raising questions about the explanations the public has already been given.
The circumstances of this incident call for an immediate, independent investigation, and the findings should be made public. The lawyers representing the Leader of the Opposition and Constable Greene must also have the opportunity, without delay, to challenge the legality and circumstances of their continued detention.
But there is a bigger issue here, and it will still be with us after this particular incident is resolved.
How many times have we been here before? A serious question is raised about police conduct. The public is outraged. Statements are issued, politicians express concern, and the country moves on. Then another controversy brings us back to the same questions, with little to show for the promises made the last time.
Guyana has a serious problem with police accountability. How can the public have confidence in the Force when it has so little reason to expect answers or consequences when serious allegations are made?
Reforming the Guyana Police Force means putting independent oversight in place, making clear how serious complaints are investigated, and holding officers accountable when misconduct is found. The public should be able to see how the Force handles these cases and what action follows. Every officer, whatever their rank or political connections, must answer to the same law.
The responsibility for leading that work rests with President Irfaan Ali and his government.
Mr President, public confidence in our institutions is deteriorating on your watch. The country needs to hear from you about who will investigate this incident, when the public can expect answers, and what your government intends to do about the wider problem of police accountability.
Your office carries a constitutional and moral responsibility. When the credibility of the Guyana Police Force is at stake, it is your responsibility to act and to see that the public gets answers.
You cannot continue to fiddle while public confidence in the police falls apart.
