Dear Editor,
I am a police rank stationed at the Mackenzie Police Station – ‘E’ Division, Upper Demerara/Linden.
I read a recent letter published in one of the newspapers on 2018-01-10 under the caption, ‘Some junior ranks feel oppressed’, and the writer mentioned issues that are affecting other ranks in ‘E’ Division.
My surprise is: why would any rank want to condemn the commander they are faced with on a daily basis? Editor, I would not be wasting this newspaper’s time to publish my letter if it meant nothing. The commander of ‘E’ Division has created a difference in this region. Since he took that office, he is sharing a very good relationship with his ranks.
The letter I read is inclusive of utter lies. And it was not a concerned rank that wrote it, but an ex-police corporal who got dismissed for his rogue and corrupt actions.
We have a commander who does not tolerate malpractice from ranks, and someone took the opportunity to say ill things about him because he is a no-nonsense person. Our commander is a person who would sit and listen to ranks’ concerns, and would on all occasions look into our welfare. He is a very kind- hearted person who supports his ranks, even arranging for us to do the LTI courses specially crafted to our particular needs. And he is also very approachable. He even visits communities around Linden and interacts with residents to ensure law and order is maintained.
I wish the “concerned rank”, as stated, had mentioned that he got dismissed for obtaining monies from persons for issuing driver’s licences, among other acts of corruption.
Why batter the commander for practices that matter not in Linden? As a serving member of the Police Force, the commander, to my mind and the minds of other ranks, is a very decent and straightforward person.
I have consulted with other ranks since the offending letter was publicized. We discussed the issues raised, and most of the ranks are very much upset over the situation, because what was published is not true; this person is only trying to embarrass and discredit our commander.
‘E’ Division had several other commanders, who did less to curb crime but sided with the ex-rank, so they were never exposed to the media.
My point is: If all this accusation is true, then please come forward with the evidence against our commander — whom none of us ranks have a problem with — and deal with this matter as an adult in a professional way. My grandfather always taught me that when we can condemn our leader, it is because we cannot compete or meet the standard of that individual.
Editor, on behalf of myself and ranks of ‘E’ Division, I boldly say we do not know about any malpractice involving our commander; and we will not, in any way, concur with anything contained in the recent letter published in that newspaper. We are proud of our commander, and respect given is respect earned.
Finally, we would like to disassociate ourselves from the letter published against our commander. He is very good to us, and we love him and would like to continue working with him. We could not have gotten a better commander than him.
Thank you for the space afforded.
Respectfully,
Ranks of ‘E’ Division
