Dear Editor,
Prior to now, I was always under the impression that the Guyana Police Force/Service has a capacity problem. But now equipped with firsthand information, I am no longer of that impression, given what was observed at the East La Penitence Police Station. What is being played out the East La Penitence Police Station is just a case of “cat and mouse”.
About a year ago, I would have jumped to defend the police force, pointing out that their lack in technology, forensics, and personnel have all contributed to their current performance level. But recently, I was able to observe a few instances that have drawn me to a new conclusion that some police are not interested in policing, but instead, have realised that not only criminals can benefit from crime, but police also. To validate my point, I will use a few examples of which I am familiar.
I have a friend that moved to East Ruimveldt almost two years ago, and sometime ago, her home was vandalized, so she visited the nearest police station with information on the perpetrator. But the police utilised their ever popular excuse of vehicle unavailability, so no action was taken. To make a long story short, she got her stuff back from the same perpetrator, and decided to follow up with police. The police at East Ruimveldt told her that an entry would be made into some journal, and the matter would be considered closed, given that her articles were retrieved.
What is sad about that situation is that the need for heavy resources to solve the crime was not necessary, since most elements of the crime were already known. But the police still failed to follow up, and the perpetrator is still free to do more damage.
Secondly, I know a female that was having a problem with an abusive family member, which ended up being physical. Taking nothing for granted, she decided to make a report at the station, which end up being just a report; nothing was done on the police end for the matter.
Yet another clear example where a simple warning might have sufficed, but the police failed again to offer assistance. Since then, the young lady has lost all hope in the police and the situation at the home has elevated. Who knows where this matter might end up? Maybe another domestic matter gracing the covers of our daily papers.
Thirdly, I know of a situation where someone was robbed in East, and the police, knowing who the elements were, swiftly arrested and returned the articles to the victim. However, the culprits just paid the police a small amount to evade prosecution. When this occurs, several things happen:
The public sees the police and thieves as one;
The public loses confidence in the police and their systems;
These criminal elements are free to cause more harm;
A common monetary interest is developed between police and thief (cat and mouse)
This letter is not intended to generalise the Guyana Police Force but is instead aimed at highlighting that something is definitely wrong with some police officers stationed at the East La Penitence station. Based on my assessment, the criminal elements between East Ruimveldt and La Penitence are just a known few, but due to the games being played by a select few at the station, these criminals are striving off the weaknesses of the system, and at the detriment of hard working citizens.
The credibility of my story can be verified by a simple audit examining a sample of reports made at the station, and follow ups with the victims to see how the matters were dealt with by the police of East La Penitence station.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address provided)
