Latest update March 28th, 2024 12:59 AM
May 18, 2014 AFC Column, Features / Columnists
On October 5, 2012, a young man was ‘hanging out’ with his friends at the popular ‘White Castle Fish Shop’ on Hadfield Street. In a few hours he would have been celebrating his 22nd Birthday. This was indeed a cause for celebration. Dameon Belgrave had no idea, not the slightest clue that he would not have reached this milestone. For the young man it would have likely been a happy evening. So sad, it was to be his last here on earth.
The records show that as Belgrave and his friends were ‘chilling’ on Hadfield Street, ranks of the Tactical Services Unit of the Guyana Police Force were in pursuit of a vehicle. The chase ended in the vicinity of the Fish Shop on Hadfield Street where the Police ranks opened fire. Anyone with the slightest knowledge of that area of Hadfield Street, especially on Friday nights; as was the case on October 5, 2012, would know that there are always lots of people out there just relaxing, enjoying a social evening, as was Dameon and his friends.
Anyone with a little ‘common sense’ would know it is dangerous to fire live rounds in a crowded area. Someone trained in the use of firearms and in policing would be even more aware of those dangers. It is then impossible to comprehend how ranks of the Tactical Services Unit, supposedly one of the ‘elite’ units of the Guyana Police Force could do just that; open fire in a crowded area.
It brings into question the level of training ranks undergo and the quality of management of the Force that a rank could disregard common guidelines in the use of firearms. It also brings into question the State’s regards for Human Rights.
Subsequent ‘investigation’ led to two of the three ranks who were in the vehicle being charged with manslaughter. Those charges have been dismissed. The third rank was not charged, although we have now learnt that the fatal bullet was fired from the weapon he had uplifted. That in itself is a travesty and somewhere along the line there was a clear attempt to make a mockery of the legal system.
How could charges be brought against two persons whom evidence obviously cleared while the third to whom all evidence pointed, escapes without a single charge?
We now read in sections of the press that the third rank may eventually be charged, but this is only after the parents would have highlighted the matter in the media and their attorney raising the question.
While we await the trial of the third rank, the question of conduct of ranks of the Guyana Police Force must be addressed.This is of critical importance given the many allegations of police abuse involving their use of firearms and the lack of respect for the rights of citizens.
Engaging the attention of the Police Complaints Authority at present is the shooting of a fifteen-year-old by a police cadet who reportedly played ‘Russian roulette’ and shot the lad in his mouth. Divine intervention spared the lad’s life. Quite recently, there was the shooting to death of Shaquille Grant by the police at Agricola and there were more prior.
The United Nations in its Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials; and, we must bear in mind that Guyana is a member of the UN, states in Article 3, “Law enforcement officials may use force only when strictly necessary and to the extent required for the performance of their duty.”
The UN explains that, “The use of firearms is considered an extreme measure. Every effort should be made to exclude the use of firearms, especially against children. In general, firearms should not be used except when a suspected offender offers armed resistance or otherwise jeopardizes the lives of others and less extreme measures are not sufficient to restrain or apprehend the suspected offender. In every instance in which a firearm is discharged, a report should be made promptly to the competent authorities.”
The Guyana Police Force must be brought into conformity with international best practices. The UN has gone so far as to develop human rights standards and practices for the police. In these international best practices, it calls for the periodic assessments of police officers, to gauge continuously their mental and physical health and suitability to judge the necessity and use of forceand firearms.
One of the reasons for this is to ensure that ‘trigger happy cops’ are not equipped to go head hunting. This protects the image of the Force and allows for a high level of public confidence in the police.
Police Forces of UN Member States in subscribing to Human Rights standards need to implement strict regulations governing the storage and issuing of firearms, including procedures for ensuring that officers are accountable for arms and ammunition issued to them, and this would include periodic checks to ensure that only those weapons and ammunition that are officially issued are being carried by officers and that appropriate sanctions are in place and brought to bear against any police rank found in possession of non-official-issue materials.
There must be an urgent review of the total operations of the Guyana Police Force to measure its conformity to Human Rights Standards. This would be one of the first tasks of the Constitutionally-provided but yet-to-be-implemented Guyana Human Rights Commission.
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
Mar 28, 2024
Minister Ramson challenge athletes to better last year’s performance By Rawle Toney Kaieteur Sports – Guyana’s 23-member contingent for the CARIFTA Games in Grenada is set to depart the...B.V. Police Station Kaieteur News – The Beterverwagting Police Station, East Coast Demerara (ECD) will be reconstructed... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – In the face of escalating global environmental challenges, water scarcity and... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]