The Leader of the Alliance For Change, Nigel Hughes, believes the sanctions imposed by the United States against Senior Superintendent of Police Hemnauth Sawh are an embarrassment to Guyana and further erode trust in the leadership of the Police Force.
Senior Superintendent Sawh, along with three other Guyanese and two Colombian nationals, was sanctioned by the U.S. Government for cocaine trafficking into the United States.
Sawh’s alleged role in the operation was described as a facilitator of the smooth passage of cocaine through Region One while he served as the Police Commander in the region.
At a press conference this afternoon, Mr. Hughes stated that the revelation of the Police Officer’s involvement in this massive international drug operation underscores the loss of confidence in the Police Force and its leadership.
“Now we are embarrassing ourselves not only domestically but internationally. It is clear that our friends, particularly the United States, have lost confidence in senior members of the Guyana Police Force. This comes just weeks after the U.S. ambassador indicated that the services of the FBI would have been available had there been a request from the President. Of course, none came. We are now at a stage where confidence in the Guyana Police Force is unacceptably low,” the AFC leader said.
According to Mr. Hughes, the Guyana Police Force cannot continue to fulfill its mandate while operating under such a cloud of suspicion.
“It is clear that the Guyana Police Force is beyond reforming itself. The leadership of the Police Force and the Commissioner of Police seem uninterested in addressing the rapidly deteriorating confidence in their abilities and the institution as a whole,” he noted.
He emphasized that with the numerous issues plaguing the Police Force, Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken, who is on extended service, should retire immediately, and a restructuring of the Force is essential.
Hughes remarked that the U.S. seems to lack confidence in the Government, as senior functionaries were apparently kept in the dark regarding the sanctions.
“The fact that a friendly government like the United States would not have provided the Head of State with a heads-up about what was coming indicates a lack of confidence in the head of our country regarding law enforcement, particularly in narcotics,” the AFC leader stated.
Mr. Hughes concluded that with General and Regional elections on the horizon, the conduct of the Police could cast a shadow on the Force’s ability to be impartial and act in the interest of citizens.
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