Dear Editor,
In law enforcement, your only real power comes from the strength of the system. The Guyana Police Force will only be strong if the system is allowed to function. President David Granger’s instruction to the Police Service Commission did nothing else but weaken the system and he must be held accountable for the destruction of any green shoot of hope for that institution. There are clear procedures in the rule of law if an officer of the law is found to be corrupt, undisciplined or out of order. The law sets out that a tribunal can be established to investigate the allegations and disciplinary actions can be taken. But Article 212 of the Guyana Constitution clearly articulated that “…. the power to make appointments to any office in the Police Force above the rank of Inspector….” resides with the Police Service Commission; not the President. So any rookie lawyer can advise that the President’s actions violated the rule of law, were high-handed and did great harm to the Guyana Police Force.
When good cops like Mr Wendell Blanhum cannot believe anymore that the system has their back so that they can do their work, when that ceases and when you come under political pressure from the Presidency, then they have two choices – become corrupt or leave the system. Both options bring great harm to the institutions of the State and this is what President Granger did to the Crime Chief when he singled him out with his irrational comments upon receiving the reports from the Chairman of the CoI into a bogus allegation of some kangaroo assassination. But more importantly, Mr Omesh Satyanand buckled to political bullyism, which is now the raison d’être of the Granger Administration. There go the crime-fighting capabilities of the Guyana Police Force thanks to President Granger himself.
Regards,
Ryan Basdeo
