Dear Editor,
The unprofessional behaviour of some members of the Guyana Police Force continues to taint the image of this most respected organization. The shocking part is that those who have seniority and high rank and who are supposed to set an example for the junior ones to follow tarnish the reputation of the force.
I had the displeasure of calling the Reliance Police Station on Sunday to report some noisy neighbours who had their music on way above the accepted decibels. I kept trying to get the station (326-0080) but the number was continuously engaged for over an hour (from 2.15pm -3.15), perhaps they were tired and needed a nap and they took the number off the hook.
Anyhow I got through and asked for the officer in charge. Earlier that day, I had called about the same issue and I was told there was no patrol available (the old sad story). I was then told to contact a CPG member in my area, which I refused to, since I was calling the police for help and they were referring me to another person. That was not what policing in Guyana was about.
Anyhow, when I called back on Sunday afternoon, I spoke with Constable LaFleur. I related my plight and that I had called earlier about the same problem and nothing was done about it. I told him that I did not want to resort to exposing the matter in the press or to the Commander and pleaded with him to send out a patrol to quell the noise that was coming from music sets in my village.
The officer became angry and raised his voice with me on the phone and after I said I would be making a complaint to the officer, he hung up the phone on me. I called back to ask him if that was the way he was trained to interface with the public but he conveniently left the station.
This is the mediocrity of the police force in Guyana at work. Shame on you officer LaFleur.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address supplied)
