In a recent incident, the Guyana Police Force impounded 162 motorcycles on Sunday evening during a raid exercise along the seawall between Vlissengen and Camp Road. The police demanded that the owners return the next day with their papers to retrieve their property. This has raised concerns over police abuse of power and whether such actions are legal.
Critics argue that the police must have a justifiable reason for stopping and searching motorists and road users have a specified period to produce relevant documents. The sudden seizure of people’s property without first verifying if they have the necessary papers seems unreasonable and unjustified.
Many are questioning the motivation behind the police action and wonder if the same would happen to drivers of cars. The fact that the police are proud to share this as evidence of good work is seen as madness by some.
The seized motorcycles have been lodged at the Brickdam Enquiries Office, where a Certifying Officer and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) will check their papers. This has caused inconvenience for the affected individuals and raised questions about the fairness of the police’s actions.
It is important to note that the police have a responsibility to enforce the law and ensure public safety, but they must also act within the boundaries of the law and with respect for citizens’ rights. The recent incident raises serious concerns over police abuse of power and the impact it can have on the affected individuals.