Dear Editor,
I wish to raise my concern regarding the recent practice of blocking citizens, including myself from the official Guyana Police Force (GPF) Facebook page along with the frequent deletion of comments that offer legitimate criticism but contain no abusive, defamatory or inappropriate content.
The GPF’s official social media pages are state-owned communication platforms funded by taxpayers. They exist to inform the public, encourage dialogue and promote transparency in policing. When citizens are blocked or their comments routinely removed simply because they express disagreement or highlight shortcomings, it undermines the democratic principles of accountability and free expression.
Constructive criticism is not an attack on the Force, it is a necessary part of public participation. Citizens have a right to question the conduct and efficiency of state institutions especially an agency as critical as the Guyana Police Force. Removing comments and blocking citizens not only silences valid concerns but also erodes trust and damages the relationship between the police and the communities they serve.
I respectfully call on the Commissioner of Police to review the management of its social media platforms and to establish clear, professional moderation standards. Public pages should never be administered based on personal feelings or used to silence dissenting voices. Citizens who were unfairly blocked should be unblocked and comment moderation should be consistent, transparent, and free from personal bias.
A police force committed to accountability must be equally committed to open dialogue including criticism. GPF Social Media Was Once Open to All… Why the Sudden Censorship?