The Assembly for Liberty and Prosperity (ALP) has condemned what it describes as a troubling pattern of police misconduct in Guyana, demanding an independent investigation into the death of 32-year-old Gavin Kennard Douglas and urgent reforms to the Guyana Police Force’s procedures governing arrests, detention and the use of force.
In a press statement issued on November 2, 2026, ALP Leader Dr. Simona Charles Broomes expressed outrage over Douglas’ death following his detention at the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station on October 31, insisting that the circumstances surrounding his death demand more than expressions of sympathy and promises of accountability.
The party questioned how many more families must endure the trauma of losing loved ones in circumstances involving the police before meaningful action is taken to address alleged abuses and strengthen accountability within the Force.
“The ALP is deeply outraged by the allegations surrounding his death and the continued incidents raising serious concerns about police conduct in Guyana. How many more families must suffer before meaningful action is taken?” the statement said.
Douglas, a labourer of Crane Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara, was reportedly arrested in connection with an alleged armed robbery. His death has triggered public concern and demands for answers, particularly following a post-mortem examination which reportedly found that he died from a brain haemorrhage caused by blunt trauma.
The findings have raised serious questions about the circumstances leading to his death and the initial account provided by police. Four police ranks attached to the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station have reportedly been arrested as investigations continue.
The ALP is also calling for the disclosure of the post-mortem findings and a comprehensive review of the Guyana Police Force’s Standard Operating Procedures, particularly those governing arrests, detention, restraint and the application of force against members of the public.
The party argued that existing procedures must be examined and revised to prevent further incidents and ensure that officers are held accountable when they abuse their authority.
It further insisted that any officers found responsible for criminal wrongdoing must face the full consequences of the law, warning that failure to take decisive action would undermine public confidence in law enforcement.
“An end must come to police brutality. Officers take an oath to serve and protect, not to intimidate, brutalise or endanger the very citizens they are sworn to safeguard,” the ALP declared.
The party said Douglas’ death was not an isolated development, pointing to at least four serious police-related incidents publicly reported in Guyana during 2026, including two deaths in custody.
It recalled its earlier protest against the police shooting of 19-year-old Jukeem Scipio in Sophia, arguing that months after taking a public stand over that incident, it was once again being forced to demand accountability over another troubling encounter involving the police.
The reference to Scipio underscores the party’s broader concern about the use of lethal force and the need for stronger safeguards against police misconduct.
The latest controversy comes amid renewed scrutiny of police accountability and the treatment of persons in state custody. Douglas’ death has intensified calls for transparency, particularly regarding the conduct of officers, the preservation of evidence and whether investigations involving police personnel can inspire public confidence.
The ALP’s demands add to mounting pressure on the authorities to demonstrate that allegations of police brutality will be investigated independently and that those responsible will not be shielded by institutional loyalties.
For Charles Broomes and the ALP, expressions of sympathy and internal investigations cannot substitute for meaningful institutional change.
The party maintains that the fundamental responsibility of the police is to protect citizens and uphold the law, not expose those in their custody to abuse or danger.
It is now calling for an independent and transparent investigation into Douglas’ death, alongside urgent police reforms, warning that without accountability, public confidence in the Force will continue to deteriorate.
