We desperately need more of the good and less of the bad from the police

Dear Editor,

Even in the best of times, it is not so good a time for law enforcement in this country. For on a day when the few stalwart and professional in the Guyana Police Force should be allowed to bask in the limelight of some rare public accolades, there is a reminder of the long, dark underbelly within the organization, of how bad things really are.

First, there was the warming caption, “Police Force hands out awards for good work in moneychanger murder, other cases” (SN July 18). Second, and a mere four pages later on page 21 of the same edition, there was this sobering, jarring title, “Pregnant woman, husband allegedly assaulted by police at East Ruimveldt outpost.” On any given day, police malfeasance is as constant a media presence as editorials and cartoons and the sports pages. Indeed alleged that assault may be at this time, but there may not be many supporters in the public too keen on emphasizing that qualifier. On the same day, and in almost the same space, that a major breakthrough and achievement is heralded, it is marred (allegedly) by a report of those who look with disdain upon citizens in need of either answers or protection or the comforting presence of the law, and greet them with crude physical force.

Third, if he pauses from his busy schedule, I have to wonder how the youthful looking, clean looking Inspector Lowe receiving his award from a smiling Commissioner of Police, Leslie James, must feel (KN July 18th front page picture). The top cop finally has something to smile about for the cameras. Amidst those smiles, and on the other hand, could Inspector Lowe be thinking in the aftermath that, after the team had put in so much effort and succeeded so satisfyingly, there did have to be this blight of an

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