With a total of eight ranks of the Guyana Police Force facing criminal charges and another 180 slapped with departmental charges for wrongdoings in 2017, Police ranks are being reminded that small salaries are no excuse for professional misconduct.

Acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine, during a press conference on Friday, observed that at least four ranks are currently being investigated for 2018, as he recalled statistics linked to misconduct in 2017 and issued a stern warning to ranks going forward.

Ramnarine said the force will spare no effort when dealing with ranks who have brought the Force into disrepute.

“We are concerned and it distresses all of us, it is severely distressing to know that notwithstanding all the training we put into a rank some are still bent on embarrassing us all,” Ramnarine said.

He told reporters that he will not accept any excuse from ranks about their salaries being “too small.”

“Senior officers believe their salaries are still small. When I joined the Force, it was small and it is still small but yet we survived by the grace of God… sometimes I can’t believe that for a few more dollars, ranks will do something so outrageous that tarnishes the reputation of the Force.”

The Acting Commissioner said the Force cannot lay down and die for professional misconduct but will continue to deal condignly with officers who are found wanting.

The Commissioner said the Office of Professional Responsibility continues to do a “fine job” and received a 5% increase in complaints during 2017.

Seventy-eight percent of those complaints have been completed with eight ranks facing criminal charges and 180 facing departmental charges.

Some 49 of the complaints were found to be unsubstantiated and 49 ranks were warned.

Already for 2018 ranks are being investigated for sexual misconduct and smuggling.

(Kurt Campbell)

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