-outgoing commander
Assistant Commissioner Paulette Morrison urged officers to strive for excellence and to uphold high values, saying they were needed to improve the image of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
Morrison, speaking at a farewell parade held in her honour yesterday morning, advised officers to be honest, committed, humble, polite, professional, impartial, and to enhance their knowledge by attending higher institutions of learning.
It is important for police officers, she stressed, to be honest in their interaction with members of the public, to remember that they are servants of the public and must always have the heart of a servant and be willing to serve. Professionalism and politeness, Morrison added, are also key ingredients to the success of any officer’s career.
When investigating a case, she said, it is important that the officer remains fair. They should avoid taking sides at all costs. This fairness, Morrison believes, when combined with the other qualities she listed will make any man or woman one of the best in the GPF.
On November 1, 1976 Morrison enlisted in the GPF and later became the first female Cadet Officer and its first female photographer. She first obtained a Diploma in Education and later a Degree in Social Work and moved from promotion to promotion at a steady pace.
As one of the outstanding female achievers in the GPF Morrison also urged younger women in the force to work hard, be dedicated and to uphold high moral, values and integrity.
Over the last 34 years Morrison has served in a number of offices in the GPF.
She believes that during this time she has “fought a good fight” and has “kept the faith”. Young people will be the focus of her retirement, Morrison told the gathering at the Tactical Service Unit square in Eve Leary, and she will be dedicating her time to “assist in moulding their lives”.
“It is difficult for me to realize that today I am leaving the Guyana Police Force…I shall think, be quite happy without my work and, I have not the slightest doubt that the force will get along very well without me…I have no regrets, none whatsoever, being a member of the Guyana Police Force,” Morrison stated.
She also noted that life in the GPF has not always been easy throughout her career. There were rough days when she felt like quitting. However, with God’s help and the encouragement of relatives Morrison said she was able to “ride the rough waves”.
“I know that God was always in control no matter what happened,” Morrison said. “I never lost my faith in God under the heart breaking circumstances that test me to the core…I did not allow adversities to make me bitter, but it made me better.”
In October 2008 Morrison was appointed as Commander of Police ‘D’ Division (West Demerara area). Prior to this she had served as the Deputy Head of Immigration. Last November, after the torture of a 15-year-old boy while in custody at the Leonora Police Station, Morrison was moved to the force’s Eve Leary Headquarters, where she headed its Department of Development.
The force had come under severe criticism following the allegations of torture; triggered by a photograph of the burnt pelvic area of the teen. His injuries led him to being hospitalised for over two weeks.
Since Morrison headed that division and her office was at the police station where the illegal acts took place, many were of the opinion that she should have known what had transpired.
The changes announced then were interpreted as a response by the police to the widespread revulsion voiced over the torture of the teen.
During her closing remark Morrison extended thanks to the Commissioner of Police Henry Greene, other senior officers present at the parade and her relatives as well as friends for supporting her throughout. “Most of all, I wish to thank the Lord for giving me the strength to stand up to the challenges I have had to face in the Guyana Police Force,” Morrison finally said.
