We can no longer, as decent minded people of the society, sit back and ignore these heinous crimes against our policemen and women.

We must not look at the perpetrators of these cold-blooded murders with sanctimonious reverence and deem them like the Ark of the Covenant, too sacred to be touched. We must add our voices to the growing chorus against the senseless slaying of members of the police force. The injury to one must be the concern of all.

Most people believe that the gunning down of the policemen in the first two days of this year, within 24 hours of each other, suggests that it is a continuing trend from late last year when bandits launched a campaign of terror against members of the Force. At the end of last year 13 of our law enforcement officers were brutally murdered.

Guyanese must understand that civilians must assist the police in tracking down and apprehending these sick and trigger-happy psychopaths in our midst.

We must not allow a few in our midst to bring grief and sorrow to the numerous mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, children and other relatives of these fallen lawmen. These police haters and killers must be vigorously hunted by all means and brought to justice. Many people feel that they should be hounded and face the wrath of the people.

These continuing senseless slayings are now taking on a frightening proportion and call for swift and harsh actions. Civil society believe that the government should actively participate in this and offer whatever help necessary in order to stop the reign of terror against our law enforcement officers.

At their meeting in Barbados in December last year, the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police (ACCP) strongly condemned acts of violence that have resulted in the loss of life of several Police officers.

We recall a resolution passed at the meeting, which lamented, “ officers who have been sworn to protect the public have themselves become victims of wanton and ruthless acts of violence.

“An attack on a Police officer is an attack against the entire society. These acts of violence must be and will be fully investigated.”

While civil society supports this resolution, we hope that it would not be another case of ink on paper, but rather one that would receive the undivided support of those in authority in a once-for-all effort to rid society of these barbarians who deserve no mercy.