Dear Editor,
The crime rate in Guyana continues to escalate and our opposition continues to condemn all measures proposed to help battle crime. Under a guise of being concerned about a seemingly bad police force and human rights violations, it has become apparent that the opposition parties are not supporting anti-crime measures implemented by government.
Many of the members of the Guyana’s Police Force (GPF) try their best to perform their duties with dedication and integrity. There be a few indiscriminating ones, but that does not mean that our police force is incompetent.
Too often, Guyanese are at the mercy of criminals who threaten to steal from them, inflict violence and even execute them. It is the government’s responsibility to put measures into place that will protect and shield our nation from such encounters.
In 2013, during the Linden protest, several accusations pertaining to being responsible for the death of a few individuals were hurled at Clement Rohee, the home affairs minister. Shortly after, the commissioner of inquiry himself exonerated the said minister from the accusations made against him. The opposition at this point was highly infuriated.
On a daily basis, police officers risk their lives to protect citizens. It is also their prerogative to protect themselves when they are under attack.
After all is said and done, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) continue to blame the government for crime in Guyana.
Globally, police enforce social order through the legitimised use of force. This refers to the amount of effort required by police to compel compliance by an unwilling subject. Police officers have the right and discretion to use the amount of force necessary to control an incident, warrant an arrest, or protect themselves or others from harm or death.
It is a government’s responsibility to protect its citizens, and I can only hope that the opposition parties will comprehend the importance of the proposed measures outlined to help fight crime in Guyana.
Sincerely,
Lorris Beaton