Canadian national “aggressively assaulted” by ranks at City Hall

Jul 10, 2015 News

– Questions mob mentality of female officers and why no one sought to stop them

President of J.A Maxwell, Suzanna Nichols telling her side of the incident

After being invited to Guyana’s shores by the Ministry of Social Protection to develop a social empowerment programme for girls and women, President of J.A Maxwell, Suzanna Nichols was reportedly “aggressively assaulted” by four female officers of the city constabulary last Thursday, July 2nd.

She recounted the troubling incident outside the chambers of the National Assembly yesterday before members of the media.

Nichols said that she took her son to the City Council for a meeting with Mayor Hamilton Green. Upon their arrival they were greeted by “a very hostile security guard” who seemed very agitated to be doing her job.

Nichols said that she subsequently drove out of the compound for a cold beverage but when she returned, she was refused entry. She then made contact with Green for assistance with parking. He sent her in the company of one of his employees to park her vehicle in his spot.

“After parking in his spot, four females came to me and said I was under arrest, then proceeded to aggressively assault me by punching me in the face, kicking me about the body and dragging me half naked as they had already ripped off my underwear and pants.”

“I ended up in the hospital after being unconscious apparently at their office half naked for more than 20 minutes. The doctor said I have two perforated discs, a hairline fracture to the hip, and bruises and lacerations about my body,” the Canadian national explained.

Nichols said that the incident moved her to question the lack of training of the female constables, which reflected on the chief constable.

“I questioned the mob mentality of the organization and why it has been fostering such behaviour of its women. Why no one stopped them when they were doing that to me? I question the image this portrays to the international and business community.”

Nichols has made an official complaint to the police on the matter and leaves the reprimand of the officers in the hands of the relevant authorities. Despite the unfortunate incident, she was not discouraged from accomplishing her mission.

She told the media that her organization will still work tirelessly to have the programme done.

Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence who facilitated the short press briefing, said that Chief Constable Andrew Foo has placed the alleged assailants under close arrest and a complete report on the matter was supposed to be delivered to her yesterday.

The Minister noted that violence has become an endemic and a way of life in Guyana, but this cannot be allowed to continue.

“We have to strive for a different way other than violence to solve our problems…The Ministry of Social Protection condemns these acts and such outrageous and heinous behaviour, and will take measures to root these out.”