Stickler Slowe urges by-the-book policing

Outgoing assistant commissioner Paul Slowe yesterday urged young members of the police force to be faithful to the justice system, warning that lawlessness would reign if lawmen take the law into their own hands.

Paul Slowe

“We cannot break the law to enforce the law,” Slowe told a farewell parade held in his honour at the Drill Square, Tactical Services Unit, Eve Leary. Addressing the gathering, which included special guests and several high ranking police officers, he also called for the establishment of a “boy army” type organisation to instil discipline in youths and to lead them away from a life of crime.

Slowe, who has given 37 years of service to the Guyana Police Force, will officially retire on July 31 but will soon proceed on pre-retirement leave. During this time, he plans to complete several disciplinary trials he had started.

Speaking directly to young officers who had come to witness the farewell parade, he said that the Force is a great organisation for anyone wanting a good and rewarding career. He said that over the years he has been a proud representative of the Force but in recent times the conduct of the ranks has caused him “to become ashamed” to be associated with the “once great” organisation. “I implore you to always remember that you are servants of the public, so treat them fairly and with respect and you will earn their respect in return,” he said.

He noted that the Force is part of the justice system of Guyana. “We as police officers are law enforcement and law enforcers. Many times we may feel that the justice system is inadequate to deal with certain situations but that is the system that we have to operate within. We cannot have law enforcement officers seek to make law or to take the law into their own hands because we feel the system may be inadequate. Even if we are to do so lawlessness will reign.

He told the young ranks that with his career at an end, he could proudly say he conducted himself in a professional manner. “As a result, there is not a single person in or out of Guyana who with justifications can say that Slowe had asked for or was given a bribe or was involved in any other corrupt or illegal activity. At the end of your career whether you serve as long as I have or not, you must be able to say the same,” he challenged them. “I have been able to hold my head up high but I am not sure that we all can say and do that. I have proud moments in the Force…I am bowing out on a high note,” he said.

Outgoing Assistant Commissioner Paul Slowe takes the salute during his farewell parade on the Drill Square, Tactical Service Unit (TSU) yesterday. (Jules Gibson Photo)

He later encouraged them to pursue knowledge relentlessly, stressing that that acquired knowledge will be the foundation of their lives. He pointed out that the Force offers very good opportunities and young ranks must be prepared to grasp them.

In giving a word of advice to those senior ranks in command positions, Slowe said that they should follow his example and be good leaders. “I am aware that the force has many officers but I wonder how many of you could be considered good leaders.” Slowe also used the opportunity to express concern that there is no longer unity and that level of support among the divisional branch commanders. “I get the feeling that some commanders feel the need to compete with each other. Healthy competition is good but when it gets to the point that people feel they must win at all cost, it can become very dysfunctional, especially in an organisation like the Force,” he said.

‘Boy Army’

Slowe said yesterday was one of the happiest of his life and with a smile stressed that any tears that he may shed “are tears of joy and happiness”. He noted that it is fitting that the parade was being held at the drill square as it was from there that his career was launched as a young constable. He recalled that he was made a drill instructor immediately after passing out from police training school and for a number of years the drill square was an integral part of his life. “In reflecting on my achievements, I must say how proud I am of what I have become,” he noted.

Slowe recalled that as a lad in Beterverwagting, he was described as being “own way and wayward” but it was the Guyana Youth Corps that instilled discipline in him and gave him the foundation for a rewarding career. He said he was on the verge of being on the wrong side of the law but with the matured company he kept he was always very ambitious and independent. Slowe recalled one evening when a crisis with Venezuela was bubbling, he heard his friends talking about Guyana’s chances in a military confrontation with the neighbouring country. He said that his friends were very upbeat and felt that Guyana’s chances were good. There was some discussion about the Force and the Guyana Youth Corps, which in those days was referred to as the “boy army.” Slowe said that he was so fascinated by what was being said that he inquired about the “boy army” and criteria for joining. “Thereafter, I secretly got the appropriate form and did all that I had to do to join the Guyana Youth Corps. I left primary school without the knowledge and consent of my father, and on 3rd October 1969 I enlisted in the Guyana Youth Corps,” Slowe recalled with a smile.

There he was taught many things, including discipline and the need to respect authority. Those lessons, Slowe said served him well in his career in the Guyana Police Force. He stressed that had it not been for his involvement in the Guyana Youth Corps “there is no way I would have been standing here delivering this farewell speech.”

Slowe stated that when he joined the corps in 1969, there wasn’t any problem with drugs and serious crimes especially gun related crimes. “Even what is going on in society today with our youths I would say that the need for such an organisation is greater now than it was then. Further I say that without some similar organisation to take care of our youths we will continue to be faced with serious challenges,” he noted.

In continuing his quest for adventure, Slowe enlisted in the special constabulary of the Force in July 1973, in time for the general election which was held that year. By that time, he recalled, he did what many youths of my time did – apply to join the army, the force and the fire and prison services. When he joined the special constabulary, the application to join the police force was already being processed.

At the end of 1973, however he was stood down from the special constabulary as was the case with all those recruited for elections.

Slowe recalled that on Friday March 1, 1974, he enlisted in the regular force and was given his regulation number. After six months of rigorous training he was transferred to the TSU and later leant that instructors and officers were upset with his placement. They apparently felt that with his potential and good record he shouldn’t be put at the TSU which had earned the “reputation of being a place for the bad eggs and the ones who did not do so well academically.”

Slowe, however, said yesterday that he was eternally grateful for this placement as it made him into who he is today. Among his many achievements, he held the top post in D, B and A Divisions, was appointed Traffic Chief on two occasions, was the head of the presidential guard and is presently in charge of operations. He took up this position in January 2008.

He said that he has had the distinct honour and privilege to have been selected in 1989 to head this country’s police contingent under the United Nations in Namibia. For this he was awarded the UN medal of peace.
Slowe also spoke of his work during the 1992 general elections.

He added though that despite his many successes, there were a few disappointments which included the dismissal of Superintendent Simon Mc Bean and the fact that he (Slowe) was not awarded the Tactical Efficiency Medal, which he felt he deserved.

Slowe plans to continue lecturing at the University of Guyana before joining his wife in the United States. In closing, he thanked all those persons who helped him along the way to ensure that he had a long and bright career.