Mr Felix must have the survival powers of Houdini and the detective ability of Sherlock Holmes
Stabroek News
February 27, 2004
Dear Editor,
Firstly I must offer my heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Winston Felix on his appointment as Commissioner of Police. In this most troubled and turbulent period. Mr. Felix is faced with a Herculean task of bringing back the respect, moral and social fabric and integrity of the Force as it used to be.
Here is a man who has been in the trenches of the Force, fought the police battle, from constable to the apex (Commissioner), he knows when you are down, he knows how to take the count, he has gotten up and battled on. He is an astute thinker and knows every department of the force be it traffic, CID, special branch, general duties. He also has an extensive knowledge of police community groups and their functions and all organisations that have a linkage to the Police Force.
I know there will be danger both within and outside but knowing his strong will and dexterity of character he will survive. It is a pity that the powers that be took so long to appoint him as top cop, but as the saying goes patience is virtue and good things come to those who wait.
Sir, it is commonly assumed that that picture of the modern police commissioner particular in the public eye, is that of a professional who possesses a Ciceronian quality of oratory, the social graces of an ambassador and the persuasive powers of a mendicant. He must also perform Houdini like acts of survival, he must be a delphic oracle and a Sherlock Holmes at solving crimes.
In concluding let me borrow out of context the words of the English poet Alexander Pope in his Essay on Man, Part II.
"Know then thyself, presume God not to scan. The proper study of mankind is man.
Yours faithfully,
Terrence Paul