Police Commissioner Leslie James on Monday sent a strong warning to members of the public and law enforcement officers who are engaged in collecting bribes – that there is intent to prosecute both parties. To use the Commissioner’s own words “it’s a two way street…once there is no offer, there can’t be acceptance. It goes both sides offer and acceptance and let me warn you civilians, we are coming after you those of you who are offering.” Policemen and women, the world over, are well respected personnel and role models for young people who aspire to contribute positively to the overall development of their communities and its residents.
They usually earn the admiration of citizens because of their unique display of honesty, integrity, patience, good temperament, politeness and commitment to maintaining law and order, especially in troubling times and turbulent circumstances. For some, these men and women in uniform stand like superheroes between victims and villains, and the oppressed and their oppressors.
In short, Policing is a noble profession and is therefore guided by codified laws and practices which dictate exactly how its members are expected to behave in almost every rational circumstance. It is also governed by high standards and ethics which serve to encourage and motivate its members to become standard bearers as far as morality and public decency are concerned.
In the developed world, there is no changing of the goal-posts or standards whenever breaches that warrant sanctions and criminal prosecutions are concerned if a Policeman breaches the law or acts in a hostile manner towards people seeking the assistance of various law agencies.
In the Caribbean, the culture is different. In some parts, there is a temptation on the part of the middle management of various Policing units to conceal the excesses of Policemen and women who are accused and in some instances found guilty of breaching the standards, ethics and laws of the profession.
As a direct result of their actions, if they go undetected by the top brass of these agencies, a new culture is passed down to their subordinates which embolden and encourage junior ranks to get involved in unscrupulous activities, which in the short and long-term damage the reputation of the entire profession.
In Guyana, some Policemen and women are openly engaged in crime and criminality within the divisions that they serve. Others are caught breaching the ethics of their profession accepting bribes, victimising citizens, applying their own version of the law and abusing their positions in order to create additional wealth and sources of income.
The situation has reached such a level where the lines between right and wrong are now blurred and there is widespread collusion between ranks at all levels to engage in dishonesty for the right price. Additionally, some law men are even in the habit of verbally abusing members of the public, using expletives and other derogatory language in the presence of their seniors.
The image of the force continues to decline because of the indifference and non-action of those in authority. Enough attention is not being paid by the top brass of the force in disciplining ranks who breach the standards and ethics of the profession. There is no reassessment of the entry requirements for the force. There is no emphasis on engineering internal programmes to lift the morale of these lawmen to empower them to cope better in the field.
The Public Security Ministry needs to work with the force to advance a modern customer service and public relations programme aimed at strengthening the performance of Police Officers and their interpersonal skills. Also, an advance policy that tackles corruption and collusion in the force must be adumbrated.
Modern crime-fighting tactics can only be successful when the public demonstrates higher levels of trust, confidence and respect for Policemen. The criminals are wining in some respect because the public demonstrates indifference in providing information that could infiltrate the criminal enterprise across the country.
The public’s attitude will not change unless the Policemen and women carry themselves with higher levels of dignity, respect, integrity, honesty and decency. History will not be kind to the current Top Cop unless he distinguishes himself as the one lawman who managed to set the force on a path to delivering a higher level of service to the Guyanese people.
