Is this the way policemen are trained to operate?

Aug 20, 2009 Letters

Dear Editor,
I take this opportunity to focus on the attitude of members of the Guyana Police Force, and ask, what is the main focus of the training that police undergo before they are sent out into the field – in any area, whether it is traffic, CID or general duties?
I relate the story of a young man, who is now 27 years old and has been incarcerated for three years for trafficking in narcotics.
He has served his time and is now trying to put his life back on track. He continues to live with his mother and has managed to get a job.
On more than one occasion he was arrested on the basis that he was wanted for questioning, but was released. However on August 5, 2009, he submitted himself to the police at the Central Police Station, New Amsterdam for questioning.
This he did after the police, who were fully armed, visited his home on two occasions prior to August 5.
Not only did the police visit his home, they ransacked his house and sent the fear of god in the minds of his mother and sister and even the neighbours.

The young man, in the most co-operative mood, answered all the questions he was asked and in so doing explained that he was playing ball (cricket) with some friends at the particular time.
He also named the friends. Yes sir, your guess is right, the friends were picked up by the police on August 6, 2009. These are young men, who were never before a court of law.
The 27-year-old man was held at the Central Police Station; one of his friends was taken to the Rose Hall Outpost, Corentyne and held there for two days, then brought back to the New Amsterdam Satation; another was taken to Albion Police Station and held there for two days and then brought to New Amsterdam Station, while the other person arrested, was taken to the Reliance Police Station and returned to New Amsterdam Station two days later. They were all released on Sunday, August 9.
It may seem as if this was a routine investigation and so no one should be alarmed or even concerned. I have to add that not one of these men was beaten.
They were questioned on the first appearance and not asked another question by any police. Why then were they kept in police custody for three or more days?
Is this what the police are trained to do? Is this how they expect to solve crimes? No wonder the statistics are so dismal when one looks at offences, arrests and convictions.
Police are abusing the law that authorises or allows for the detention of a person who is arrested for 72 hours.

They pick up persons and just leave them locked up for three days and claim it is their right.
How can the first young man they arrested have a chance to live a normal life, when every time the police need a suspect they pick him up?
The man has served his time let him have his life back. These actions by the police simply make criminals out of decent people.
Why should I help in any police investigation if my entire life is going to be so maligned by their approach?
These police are not only rude they are brutal and almost uncivilized in their approach and then their investigation is usually limited to a few questions and yet they hold you in a stinking cell for 72 hours.
I suggest our police be polite and more civil in their approach after all their’s is a disciplined force – where is the discipline?
The above is not only confined to those young men alone, there are many others who are treated in the same manner. When will it stop?
Charrandass Persaud

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