Laurie Lewis has served Guyana well – colleagues

Guyana’s former Commissioner of Police Laurie Lewis passed away on Monday morning after a prolonged illness. He was 71.
Lewis was described as a stalwart who meant well for the Guyana Police Force. The former Queen’s College student served the force for 40 years with distinction and honour. He retired from the Guyana Police Force in 2001.

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee in expressing condolences to Lewis’s wife, children and other relatives said the former commissioner has left a legacy in the force, which will be honoured and remembered forever.
Rohee recollected that he first met the former commissioner of police while he was president of the University of Guyana Student Council between 1974 to 1976.
Subsequently, Lewis became commissioner of police during the People’s National Congress (PNC) regime while he (Rohee) was a journalist at the Mirror Newspapers.
Rohee further stated that Lewis, on a regular basis held press conferences to brief the public of the work of the police force as a means of gaining the public’s confidence. The minister stated that after he became home affairs minister, he invited Lewis to be an informal advisor to him.
“He would visit my office from time to time on my invitation to advise me on critical matter pertaining to the security sector. He was always forthcoming and a very affable individual who was insightful in his analysis,” the minister stated.
Lewis, Rohee noted was very instrumental in reforming the Constitution on community policing in Guyana, and has served with pride and excellence.
Public Relations Officer of the Guyana Police Force and former Assistant Police Commission Ivelaw Whittaker also expressed his sadness at the passing of Lewis.
Whittaker, who worked under Lewis’ administration from 1990 to the time he demitted office, posited that Lewis was a great leader who was a disciplinarian; someone who focused his attention on the development of the police force and its staff.
“We have lost one of Guyana’s better sons; he has served Guyana well in various positions and more so, served both under the People’s National Congress (PNC) and the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic governments,” Whittaker added.
He said while Lewis was sometimes difficult to work with, he successfully initiated several projects that have been beneficial to Guyana. Some of these initiatives Whitaker noted include the Youth Summer Programme, the Tiger Bay Outreach Programme; the Day Care Centre, Station Management Committee, the Police Training Board and the erection of the monument to honour slain police officers who were killed on duty.
Former Police Commissioner Henry Greene said Lewis was the strength and beacon of the household. He said despite Lewis had retired, he would call regularly to enquire what was going on and offered his expertise when necessary.
Another former police commissioner, Winston Felix said he was sorry to learn about the passing of Lewis, and noted that his pleasant personality has touched those whom he interacted with on a daily basis.