Members of the New Amsterdam Constabulary recently came in for heavy criticism from Deputy Mayor Harold Debydeen, who accused them of facilitating a culture of lawlessness in the town through their lax approach to carrying out their duties.
Last Monday, to mark the constabulary’s 39th anniversary, about one dozen constables along with councillors attached to the New Amsterdam municipality assembled at the Town Hall for a thanksgiving service.
In his address, Debydeen lamented the current state of the town, describing it as “lawless.” He then said that this was a direct result of “constables not functioning effectively” and he charged them to do their jobs with integrity.
Reflecting on the reasons behind establishing a constabulary division some 39 years ago, Debydeen said the vision was to use the constabulary unit “for good governance for the municipality.” Two astute retired police officers were recruited to structure the formation of the town’s constabulary and with their help the roles and functions of the would-be constables were enshrined in Standing Orders. Debydeen said these were two basic functions: to provide security for municipal purposes and to prevent lawlessness within the town.
“Council workers found guilty of any misdemeanour could be brought by constables before the law, charged and tried,” he said. He further disclosed that constables have the authority to “charge indiscipline officers of the constabulary and fine them.”
‘Stop the
lawlessness’
However, Debydeen noted that though they are equipped with the power to effect positive change in the town and maintain law and order, he believes that the constables have shirked their responsibilities. “I am now seeing within the municipality, and within the constabulary, poor governance; this has replaced good governance, efficiency and integrity,” he said.
Expounding on what he referred to as lawlessness, Debydeen noted that business proprietors have developed the habit of encroaching on government reserves and illegally encumbering the pavements of the town, leading to congestion; and residents have resorted to illegally disposing of their solid waste along the road shoulders, in the trenches and in vacant lots, unmindful of the by-laws of the town which prohibit such acts. He condemned the constables for allowing this undesirable behaviour to spread throughout the township.
“What I’m seeing is total lawlessness within the town which is now deeper than the dimensions of Pitt Street,” he said, reminding the constables that they “do not have to seek permission from the council or the Town Clerk to get the vendors and encroachers off the street.”
He charged them to “stop the lawlessness within the town” and advised them to “use your Standing Orders; the powers and authority to charge and fine those that defy the law.”
Seeking to make his message pellucid, Debydeen then instructed the constables to “clear the obstacles in the town; do everything that is within your authority from the Standing Orders. You are now charged with the responsibility to stop the nonsense! Your standing orders are your weapon to execute your duties.” Councillor Winifred Heywood delivered the sermon at the thanksgiving service, which saw members of the constabulary performing several cultural items.
Created on July 1, 1974, the motto of the New Amsterdam Constabulary is “Justice, Courtesy and Cooperation.”
