CRIME: The growing gun culture in Guyana – by Francis Quamina Farrier

The recent extrajudicial killing of a young man on Main Street in the vicinity of the Palm Court establishment in Georgetown, poses the question as to whether extrajudicial killings are about to return to Guyana. “Perish the thought” someone said in my hearing. That recent killing also poses the question as to whether there is a growing gun culture in our Beautiful Guyana.

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Responding to that street killing, Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, has stated that, “The Government is working to eradicate lawlessness and gun crimes.” The minister further stated that “Billions of dollars are being spent to bolster the country’s crime fighting capability.” Supportive of that over-due project, is the rehabilitation of quite a number of Police stations around the country. They include the stations at Albion, Providence, Ruimveldt, Whim and Wismar, among others.

The Guyana Police Force: two commentaries

The uniformed Bad Boys of the Guyana Police Force and their overridden Commissioner –  commentary

Written by realTalk  – Demerara Waves – Tuesday, 25 September 2012

Since 1992, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has consistently failed in its mandate to protect and serve the people of Guyana. Instead, it has become a most corrupt and brutal force, in the defense of notorious drug lords, lawless and incompetent politicians, and the friends of the friends who enjoy close affiliation with the ruling party. Guyanese continue to be intimidated and terrorized by the bands of uniformed bad boys belonging to the GPF.

That the tragedy of Linden occurred with the police at the center of it ought not to surprise Guyanese. Extrajudicial killings from post 1992 became the hallmark of the GPF.  Read more:   [The uniformed Bad Boys of the Guyana Police Force]

The Undermining of the Police Chief by the PPPC government has caused untold suffering for Guyanese

The questioning of Acting Police Chief Leroy Brummel revealed what some knew and many had suspected for years. That the Police Chief was largely a nominal figure. A place holder position designed by Rohee and the PPPC government and that the Police Department has been deliberately under-resourced, under-manned, under-paid and under-trained by the PPPC government. What was also made clear is how the Police Chief was systematically undermined and his authority usurped to ensure that he would only as powerful as Rohee and the PPPC government wanted him to be.    Read More  [The Undermining of the Police Chief]