By Daniel DaCosta
Stabroek News
August 28, 2001

Outgoing Commissioner of Police, Laurie Lewis, has called on members of the Police Force and politicians to recognise that they have separate roles to play in Guyana's development.

"At times these lines become blurred and when this happens we will have a situation similar to that of Jamaica," Lewis said.

Addressing a large gathering at a farewell ceremony in his honour at the Recreational Hall, Central Police Station, L.F.S. Burnham Street, New Amsterdam last Friday, the commissioner said: "We are going through grave difficulties in Guyana today. The people in Guyana are talking and it is for the politicians to listen, hear and understand. If they do not we will have a difficulty."

According to Lewis, "there is a difficulty when a police force attempts to align itself to a political party and another difficulty when a political party attempts to dominate a police force. I wish to caution against this type of movement."

He told members of the force, regional and municipal officials, members of community policing groups, the judiciary and magistracy that the country was going through a period of protests and the force must acknowledge that people have a right to protest. "Therefore there is a need for us to re-examine the way we have dealt with protests in the past and work out a new system of dealing with protests. This is a job we have to assign ourselves and if we do not other people will assign it to us."

Referring to his leadership of the force, Lewis said he was happy to have been given the opportunity to charter and develop a course for the Guyana Police Force. "I have no qualms about what I did to develop officers in the force - insisting that they obtain a university education and undergo professional training."

Remarking that a number of youthful ranks were on parade earlier, the long-serving police officer urged them to "set their minds on the job which will make it easier. If you find joy in your job it will not be a burden."

Speaking at the function that followed an impressive parade and march past, Justice John Persaud noted that Lewis experienced turbulent years as commissioner but exhibited dynamic leadership and much professionalism during this period.

Guyana, Justice Persaud said, could ill-afford to lose the services of people like the outgoing commissioner. The judge expressed the hope that Lewis would be given the opportunity to use his expertise, skills and experience beneficially. The judge also called for the age of retirement to be extended, since "we cannot afford to lose the expertise of qualified and experienced people."

Justice Persaud then disclosed that the Rotary Club of New Amsterdam was working towards the establishment of a Remand Centre for juveniles and female offenders. The centre, which should be completed during the present Rotary year, he said, would be located in an unoccupied Guyana Police Force building next to the Central Police Station and will be dedicated to the retiring commissioner.

Commander of "B" Division, Assistant Commissioner Paul Slowe in brief introductory remarks noted that the commissioner was among the first batch of cadet officers to enter the Police Force in 1961 and the only one to have the distinction of serving until retirement.

The ceremony was interspersed with tributes and songs while several ranks and individuals, including Regional Chairman Rohit Persaud, took the opportunity to present gifts to Lewis. Also attending the ceremony was Magistrate Chandran Sohan and Deputy Mayor of New Amsterdam Claude Henry.

The commissioner also "offered" on-the-spot promotions to four ranks. Detective Corporal Derek Taylor and Corporal Donetta Stevens were promoted to sergeants, while Lance Corporal Mervin Mentore was promoted to corporal and Detective Constable Reginald Shivmangal was promoted to lance corporal.