Georgetown: Members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) should rediscover their values and resist temptations as they celebrate their 179th anniversary, not only at the individual level but at the corporate level where such values must be clear.
This charge was given by Chairman of the GPF Fallen Heroes Foundation Reverend Dr. Raphael Massiah at the 179th Drum Head Service held on Sunday at the Tactical Service Unit Drill Square, Eve Leary Georgetown.
The service was opened with a prayer from Force Chaplain, Reverend Patrick Doolichand following the piling of the drums and laying of the flags which was done by an all-female unit headed by Assistant Superintendent Tiffany Williams.
The Drumhead Service which feature praises and worshiping along with the piling of drums and laying of flags is the first amongst many events throughout the month of July.
In attendance were Minster of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan members of the diplomatic community, Head of the Joint Services and Senior Officers of the Force along with special invitees.
“You must rediscover and have that sense of dignity and pride when you serve this nation in a way that will bring honour and glory to god and peace and safety to all of us,” the reverend said.
He said that daily police officers and ranks experience various temptations.
“What do you have to refer to when you are faced with all these challenges: power, money or it could be sexual favor or it could be promotion, it could be a number of things I don’t know, but you must know because temptation does not end there it moves to the point where it produces sin and sin produces death.”
He said that the after 179 years the GPF have survived, but there is need for a new framework to move forward.
Noting that every man or woman is drawn away by their own lust and temptation, Reverend Massiah said this comes from within and many officers and police ranks have discovered that their uniform has afford them all kinds of power.
“These can be, the respect of your colleague, the respect of the people in the community and you might want to use this new found power for your own personal benefit, or of the benefit of a group or a cabal or whatever it might be and we are tempted and drawn away by our own lust so don’t look at anybody, look at yourself and see what might be causing you to be shift from your values and base,” he said.
Adding that no human is beyond temptation, Dr. Massiah said anyone is absolved from temptation because its nature comes from within. “The only way we can deal with that is that we must have a set of values to stabilize us.”
Dr. Massiah said that the police ubiquitous presence in all ten administrative regions keeps society in check while promoting peace and stability.
“Officers start with one world view and then they are either bought over by another world view, this world is filled with dynamism whether it be in spirituality, whether it be in politics, whether it be in economics, whether it be in diplomacy, the dynamics are quite illusive and you have to stand on your own feet and understand your values,” Dr. Massiah said.
Assistant Commissioner and Second-in-Command of the Force’s Administration Maxine Graham, in her brief welcoming remarks urged the ranks to give thanks to the Almighty in everything they do; she also encouraged them to continue doing the good work they have been doing and to continue to make the Guyana Police Force proud.
The Force kicks off its anniversary and the traditional drum head service is the first in a series of month long activities to commemorate the
The traditional route march through a section of the city will be one of the highlights of the celebrations.
On Monday July 2nd there will be a duck curry competition at Eve Leary. Other activities will also include the much anticipated Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Monument of Fallen Heroes in the Police Officers’ Mess Compound on July 15.
The finals of the Police Debating Competition will take place in July at the Police Officers’ Mess Annexe.
The curtains will come down on the anniversary activities with the Force’s Annual Athletics Championships between at the Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary and a swimming competition at the National Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal along with many others events.
You must be logged in to post a comment.