Two constables of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) have been taken into custody for allegedly beating and burning a 17-year-old boy on Monday.
Police Commissioner Leslie James called an emergency press conference on Tuesday, where details of the matter were brought to light.
Based on reports, the incident occurred at about 11:30h. The teen was picked up in a private motorcar and taken to a residence at La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara. The house is occupied by the duo – who is said to be brothers and also sons of a senior police officer.
On December 12, the said house was broken into, and the teen was allegedly listed as one of the perpetrators.
“Two members of the Guyana Police Force allegedly caused some injuries to a 17-year-old male…He was picked up by these two ranks, who were allegedly with other persons, and taken to a dwelling in the Parfaite Harmonie area. I think the dwelling is their residence. The background to that is that their dwelling was broken into sometime prior and it was felt that the young man was a suspect,” James shared.
Upon reaching the house, the two ranks – one of whom is stationed at the Tactical Services Unit and the other, at the Wales Police Station – proceeded to inflict injuries and even poured a hot liquid on the teenager. This substance is believed to be hot water.
“The allegation is that the ranks proceeded to inflict injuries on him, that is, he was beaten and he was also burnt about his body by some liquid. I suspect it must’ve been water, hot water.”
The Top Cop said these allegations were made via a report by the young man’s relatives, and an investigation was later launched to determine what transpired. Since then, both constables were taken into custody and the teen is said to be nursing his injuries at home.
“The investigation is being led by a very senior police officer…According to the Divisional Commander who reported to me, the young man reported to his sister who then took the information to her mother and they all went to the Parfaite Harmonie Police Station where a report was made,” he informed.
Just two days ago, it was announced that a police officer who was caught on video using his handcuffs to beat a man while trying to arrest him at the Meadow Bank Wharf, Georgetown, earlier this month, was relieved of his duties which involve dealing with the public.
Commander of Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) Sub-division A (Georgetown), Assistant Police Commissioner Edgar Thomas told Guyana Times International on Sunday that investigations into the matter were currently ongoing and is being spearheaded by the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR).
However, in the interim, until the probe is concluded, the rank has been tasked with other duties which do not permit him to deal directly with the public.
According to Commander Thomas, once the OPR makes its recommendation after its investigation, he will abide by it. As such, that policeman’s career depends solely on the findings of the OPR.
Police ranks are issued various items to execute their duties; for instance, a baton is used to assist in subduing a suspect, the Commander noted, while a pair of handcuffs is used for another purpose.
However, according to the Commander, when a police officer uses one of his tools for a purpose than the one originally intended, this will lead to questions about whether or not the rank had stepped out of line or breached the rights of the suspect.
On December 5, a video went viral on social media (Facebook) with the police officer in question attempting to aid his colleague in arresting 32-year-old Quincy Little.
Little was accused of stealing a snapper from another vendor and the police visited him two hours after the simple larceny report was made requesting that he accompany them to the Ruimveldt Police Station. (Rupa Seenaraine)
