WHEN THE PEOPLE FEAR THE POLICE, PARLIAMENT MUST ACT

The Guyana Police Force is charged with protecting the people of this country. Yet today, many Guyanese feel that they have more to fear fromthe policethan from the criminals. That is a devastating indictment on the state of policing in Guyana.

When a person is taken into police custody, the State assumes responsibility for that person’s safety. No family should have to fear that their loved one will enter a police station alive and leave dead. No Guyanese should have to wonder whether the institution entrusted with upholding the law will itself act outside of it.

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Public confidence cannot be restored when official police statements are repeatedly contradicted by information that subsequently comes to light. There is much talk about leaks. But let us also ask why people feel compelled to bring information into the public domain. When the public believes that the truth is being concealed, trust breaks down.