Harry Gill’s attempt to belittle my character, integrity

Dear Editor

I recently wrote a letter to the press supporting the directive of His Excellency President David Granger, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, to the Police Service Commission — to put on hold promotions for Police officers. There have since been diverse reactions in the print and electronic media and elsewhere on the President’s directive, including a letter written by Harry Gill which appeared in sections of the media.

I feel that Harry Gill’s letter is a subtle attempt to belittle my character and integrity. His letter is riddled with inaccuracies and irrelevancies, and contains a massive dose of unadulterated piffle. Instead of dealing with the fact at issue, he backtracked and referred to my well ventilated exchange of views in the media with the Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority and the Police Public Relations and Press Officer. However, he skillfully failed to refer to my responses to both parties. Let me briefly state the issues. I questioned the legality of the investigators of the PCA to investigate alleged breaches of discipline under the Police (Discipline) Act Chapter 17:01. I argued that the PCA investigators were not members of the Force, they have no rank, they were not appointed/ promoted by the Guyana Police Force or the Police Service Commission; hence they were breaching the Act whenever they investigate matters of a disciplinary nature.

The chairman had different views, and recommended that I read several sections of the law and the Disciplined Forces Commission Report of 2003; which I did, but did not find anything that amended Section 5.(1) of the Act. Since this section became law in 1975, it has remained pristine.

Out of respect for each other, the Chairman and I rested our cases. Belatedly, Harry Gill has re-opened the case, and has appointed himself judge, jury and executioner for the matter. So be it.

The PRO was given to publish a letter that was crafted by four members of the GPF in relation to some issues and concerns in the Force. I raised those issues and concerns, and they are now manifesting themselves at the CoI been conducted by Paul Slowe, retired Asst. Commissioner of Police. I responded to that letter. Perhaps Harry Gill did not read it. I still stand with what I wrote about ghosting, and have refuted the baseless accusation that I deliberately attempted to mislead members of the public on activities and issues within the Guyana Police Force. We exchanged different views. End of the matter.

In his letter, Harry Gill mentioned my name fifteen times, and sent me on early retirement since October 1st 2008. He took away from me four years of quality service that I gave to the GPF and the citizens of Guyana.

The PPP member of Parliament placed me on a list of unemployed retirees; questioned whether or not I may be one of the Policemen who may have faced disciplinary actions for violating the very laws we took an oath to uphold; and raised doubt as to whether indeed I had been an upright and outstanding police officer during my long career in the Guyana Police Force.

He posited a hasty assumption that I may be making myself available for many of “the lucrative job opportunities” that this administration has made available to retired members of the security sector, and opined that I may be invited to join SARA.

I do not like to blow my own trumpet, but would like to let the PPP Member of the Parliamentary Oversight Committee for Security Sector know that, after 39 years of unbroken service in the GPF, there is not a single entry of disciplinary, corrupt or criminal offence committed by me listed in my personal file at Police Headquarters or anywhere else.

Since my retirement, I am happily and gainfully employed. Harry Gill stated that Conway appears to be always sucking up to the President, and asked if I am privileged to inside information to determine how long the Col will last. Let me be pellucid: I worked under eight Presidents. Some persons may not know this, but I had very close relationships with a few. I NEVER SUCK UP TO ANYONE, moreso President David Granger. The date when the CoI is expected to end is public knowledge — August 18, 2017.

No need for me to have inside information. But what if l had?

This will be my only response to Harry Gill. I need to use my time to do better things.

Yours faithfully,

Clinton Conway

Assistant Commissioner of Police

(retired)

Clinton Conway