Dear Editor,
The majority of us depended on the disciplined forces to protect us from internal and external hostility and illegal elements. Throughout history the security forces depended on the cooperation of citizens generally, who they in turn must protect. When several sections of the community begin to lose confidence in our security forces, we are travelling along a rocky road to anarchy and the rending of the already fragile fabric of our society.
I was quite surprised when speaking to groups of young persons from the city, West Demerara and lower East Coast, as well as a group of responsible citizens over lunch recently. The majority of them expressed a lack of confidence in what the security forces say and do.
Within the officer corps of the army and police, and the prison and fire services, there exists a number of honest and dedicated officers, but they are being tainted by a few outlaws. The Commander-in-Chief, the Chief-of-Staff, Commissioner of Police and other heads must take measures to regain lost ground within the society if we re all not to be victims of a developing environment.
I can make some suggestions.
1. Expedite Hinckson’s trial to avoid the perception that this is not an ordinary prosecution.
2. Produce a full report on the many unsolved assassinations we have had, including Satyadeow Sawh, Ronald Waddell and the Bacchus’ brothers, among others.
3. Give a credible report on the Lindo Creek massacre. When will the forensic results be made available? When I spoke recently to Lyken’s Funeral Parlour management, they said that the remains were still in their possession. It is high time we hear from the eye-witness − unless there is a change in the meaning of the term − who was one witness to the massacre. We can assume that person would be able to identify who did this gruesome act. For the police sake, this eyewitness should also be subject to a polygraph test conducted by an independent credible technical team.
We need to know to bring closure to what must not go down as an unsolved mystery.
4. Government must also explain why they did not accept the offer to have a forensic review by an independent and competent overseas team. These are only some of the troubling issues and I hope that for the sake of all of us citizens who would like to live in an environment where we can have trust in our security forces, we will get specific answers.
Yours faithfully,
Hamilton Green JP
The hammer has hit the nail on its head and the points were clearly made. I myself, who would normally sit on most nights with the younger community dwellers had always expressed now even more than ever how fustrated they are at the police force and the army. They complain about the police harrassment and victimization and how the army has gotten involved in torturing citizens. I have had many painful confrontations with both parties recently. When a batch of joint services ranks can enter your properity in search of arms and ammo and drop a magazine in your house and say its yours…. it tells you something… When the police force can target villages and the youths living there…it tells you something…When the magistrate court can keep denying Mr. Oliver Hinckson bail for no reason whatsoever…it tells you something…And when there is a sudden decline in recruitment for these governmental agencies.. it tells you that the leaders are NO GOOD!!!
I cant comment on u Dorain because stabroek always give me the axe
Dorian you must keep writing about the wrongs as you see them, you are on the ground and has felt the wrath of both the Police and Army and their political MASTERS.
Hammie, well written.What about delivering?
So, what about the confidence in the judicial processes and closer collaboration with external agencies such as the U. S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), INTERPOL MI6, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) et cetera, et cetera. Also, what about the Ship Rider Agreement so that the F16, STEALTH and the RAPTOR FIGHTERS… can be scrambled to engage the un-identified aircrafts flying over Guyana’s airspace.
http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=11862
Yankee Bravo – Over And Out.
hammie,before you lecture others about their responsibilities, why don”t you carry out yours and keep georgetown clean and financially viable. it is the most stinking “city” in the world.
Hi “quibian”, Before you start with Hammie Green…. How about starting at the top (the Government of Guyana) and let them lead by example for after all Georgetown is the seat of Government in Guyana. No more “voluntary” services from the Peoples’ Army in Guyana to do some city cleaning – Huh! Additionally, how about you getting a contract agreement from the City and Government tin Guyana to convert the “waste” into “energy”. Duh!
Re: “Also, what about the Ship Rider Agreement so that the F16, STEALTH and the RAPTOR FIGHTERS… can be scrambled to engage the un-identified aircrafts flying over Guyana’s airspace….” And, here is why the Ship Rider Agreement…. how were things in Guyana allowed to “blossom” like this:
re: “Former GDF officer may be key witness in Roger Khan drug trial….”
http://www.stabroeknews.com/news/former-gdf-officer-may-be-key-witness-in-roger-khan-drug-trial/
when they should be “nipped at the buds”! 8-)
Well Mr. Hammie i agree with you on your four points recommendations on how the disciplined services can gain back the trust of the people. I know the people want to trust the police, but both side have to be willing to make it works.
Re: [.....I know the people want to trust the police, but both side have to be willing to make it works..] Unless, they wish for “Uncle Sam” to step in?
Mr. Mayor you speak with eloquence of the security forces (National police,Defence force,Prison and fire services AND, not one mention of the City Constabulary/City Police. I wonder what those young people would say to you when they learn that the City police is the oldest policing body in the nation and yet citizens of Georgetown and visitors to the city are not adequately protected by the city police. They do not direct traffic;they are prevented by their superiors from arresting offenders of crime most prevalent in your city, even when the criminal offence is committed in their presence. Clean your house Mr. Mayor before you tell others about theirs. By the way recent initiative of establishing a bicycle patrol must be commended. Let the city police be a law enforcement body like any city police force around the world.
Well done Hammie.However,I get the impression,that there are more dishonest,than honest Policemen in the Force.Since I cannot prove this,I will suggest that drastic measures be implemented,to weed out the bad eggs.They should be dealt with expeditiously.Internal investigations about certain ranks,should help to identify the bad apples.Years ago,the C.O.P.dismissed policemen,unfairly in the Public Interest,without finding them guilty of anything.This present situation is different.Recruitment needs to be revised.Time to act.The ship is sinking.
kaieteur gold, hammie is the top of the of the municipal govt. and he even can’t get along with his own staff or can’t seem to get things done for as long as he has been in charge. he criticising others when he is worst than them.