‘Police conduct shameful’

…MP Chandan-Edmond slams cops for market brawl with citizen

A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Member of Parliament Geeta Chandan-Edmond, on Tuesday, slammed the Guyana Police Force over last weekend’s incident, which saw ranks choking and stomping a suspected bandit in the vicinity of the Stabroek Market.

Chandan-Edmond, in a statement, said she has seen both a recording of the incident which took place on Sunday, January 3, and the statement issued by the Guyana Police Force.

“It is painfully apparent that this represents another sordid display of unprofessional conduct consistent with a list of incidents of this nature that seem to be ever present since the installation of the Government of Guyana on August 2nd, 2020,” MP Chandan-Edmond said.

She added: “it is clear: the de-professionalization of the Guyana Police Force and the wanton disregard for the law and the rights of the citizens of Guyana by the installed government is taking its toll.”

According to the APNU+AFC Parliamentarian, it would appear that some rogue members of the Guyana Police Force are taking dangerous signals from the political directorate, resulting in a complete disinterest in the human rights of citizens.

“I reiterate earlier calls for the Minister of Home Affairs to effectively consult with the Police Commissioner and express the revulsion felt by all Guyanese on the direction the Guyana Police Force is heading. I call on the Commissioner of Police to desist from eroding the professional ethos of the men and women firmly established by the APNU+AFC government,” the MP urged.

In a statement issued earlier, the Police Force said its ranks were forced to defend themselves during a confrontation with a suspected bandit at the Stabroek Market.

According to the Force, ranks of a mobile police patrol responded to a report of robbery with aggravation committed on a man in the Stabroek Market area.

The ranks arrested a male suspect and placed him in the police vehicle, however, the suspect reportedly became aggressive and attacked the ranks. According to the Force, the policemen were forced to defend themselves, resulting in a physical confrontation.

The suspect was eventually subdued and taken to the Brickdam Police Station where he was identified by the victim as being one of the men who had robbed him of a Samsung smartphone and twenty-five thousand dollars, local currency.

The Force said the suspect is in police custody and has refused medical attention, while the injured police ranks were treated at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

In that statement, it was also disclosed that the Police Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) is investigating the matter.

But Chandan-Edmond said the Force should have an independent assessment of this incident and allow the facts to guide consequences, wherever they may fall.

“I continue to be appalled and revolted by the complete washing away of any semblance of consequences for law men and women who manifest little regard for the laws of this country. No one is above the law and the uniformed ranks are not exempted from respecting the law,” the MP said.