Latest update April 17th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jul 26, 2015 Letters
Dear Editor,
I have worked 26 years in the policing community groups, with at least 10 different divisional commanders and a number of police commissioners. I am Chairman of the Station Management Committee of the Providence Police Station and Advisor of the Herstelling Policing Group.
I have given not only my time but resources because I remain concerned about the safety of our citizens.
I have never been afraid to voice my opinions or call a spade a spade.
Recently, an incident occurred and it is causing me to a rethink about some of the people we have in charge.
Recently, Guyana hosted the CPL games in Providence. Guyanese came from all walks of life. So did many of our Caribbean brothers and sisters.
Police were hard pressed. It was after one of the games in which Guyana won last weekend that I received a call. A senior public servant had been arrested and accused of accosting a police officer who was directing traffic from the stadium.
The public servant reportedly came out of his vehicle and approached the policeman, telling him that congestion was becoming unbearable. During a short exchange of words, the public servant reportedly asked for the police rank’s name. He was wearing one of the reflector jackets and the name tag was hidden. The public servant apparently attempted to see the name tag and touched the policeman.
The public servant said he wanted to report the police rank’s behaviour.
The ‘A’ Division Commander, Mr. Clifton Hicken, reportedly drove up at the moment and heard a complaint of the rank. He ordered the arrest of the public servant who was handled and thrown into a police vehicle, in full view and disbelief of his friends and family.
He was taken to the Providence Station where he was charged. His superiors were later told that public servant had slapped the police rank.
The police rank’s statement never reflected any slapping. The matter was settled.
The embarrassment could have caused the public servant his job. This is clearly an abuse of power by Mr. Hicken, a man people should look up to and respect.
It is dishonest to convey an impression that the police rank was slapped and then to boot, charge the public servant. How many more persons have been victims to such dishonesty and abuse by this commander or others like him? Guyana should not tolerate such disrespect to our citizens.
There must be an even handed show of justice. We demand an explanation from Mr. Hicken.
Cobeer Persaud
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