PM tells police to expose corruption and uphold integrity

-As GPF launches inaugural Integrity in Policing Symposium
Acting President, Mark Phillips on Saturday charged officers of the Guyana Police Force (GPF)
to create a culture where “integrity is seen as important for the success of the individual. He said
that it should also be for the trust and confidence of the force by the wider Guyanese society”.
Phillips who is acting for President Ali reiterated to officers gathered at the Arthur Chung
Conference Centre, for the GPF’s inaugural Integrity in Policing Symposium, that covering-up is
a culture that will lead to the failure of any organisation. “When you see something wrong, you
have to report it, you have to investigate it, not cover up…you cannot have a command culture or
climate where people are waiting their turn to get into a position to commit abuses and
misappropriations; that will not help the force…if you don’t have integrity, your organisation
will suffer,” Phillips said.
The acting president went on to charge the leadership of the GPF to manage the organisation in a
consistent and transparent manner. This, he noted must be done while upholding the tenets of
good policing, since one bad apple could tarnish the image of the entire force.  “If we have an
officer who sets the bar and is leading and has the right command climate, no-nonsense, not
accepting or covering up matters that impinge on the integrity of his subordinates and then we
have another commander who is doing something different, it wouldn’t be long before you see
the difference,” he explained.
Prime Minister Phillips then told the Commissioner of Police (Ag) Nigel Hoppie DSM that every
member of the force should have a booklet at all times, with the values and standards of the
organisation.

Hoppie, said that some of the ranks do not demonstrate characteristics that are in keeping with
the core values of the force when interfacing with members of the public, during his remarks.
The Acting Commissioner noted that this uncharacteristic attitude, results in some ranks being
discourteous and unprofessional. He went on to note that this results in them using abusive
language and excessive force and attempting to use public office for private gains by collecting
money for police services. “Some frontline ranks engage members of the public in an impolite,
unethical and disrespectful manner, which results in dissatisfaction with police services, Hoppie
said”.
The acting Commissioner dubbed it a challenge that must be remedied. Among the items that
were on the agenda for the symposium was a discussion on approaches to improve integrity by
British consultant, Michelle King. Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn; National Security
Advisor, Captain Gerry Gouveia and members of the Joint Services were also at the event.