Police complete investigation into teenager’s torture - DPP to advise

Police complete investigation into teenager’s torture – DPP to advise

Nov 20, 2009 News

The Office of Professional Responsibility of the Guyana Police Force has completed its investigations into the torture of a 15-year-old boy who was being held by police for questioning into a murder on the West Bank of Demerara.
Police Commissioner Henry Greene told Kaieteur News yesterday that the file on the matter has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for advice.
“Our investigations have been completed and the file is with the DPP,” the Commissioner said.
The Ministry of Home Affairs in a statement issued yesterday afternoon confirmed that the DPP is actively considering the police file.
“The Ministry of Home Affairs has been advised by the Director of Public Prosecutions that the file is currently under active consideration and that the Guyana Police will in a few days be in receipt of her advice on the matter,” the statement said.
The teenager who was being held at the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station had a flammable liquid poured on his lower torso and was set alight during interrogation.
This led to him being hospitalized with burns to his genitals, thighs and hips.
A graphic photograph of the injuries sparked a massive public outcry and condemnations both locally and internationally.
On November 5, President Bharrat Jagdeo had labeled the torture inhuman, and gave the police two weeks to complete an investigation into the allegations, after which all the perpetrators will face the full consequences.
However, he said if the report does not satisfy him, other options outside of the police force will be considered.
“I will allow for the probe to be done by the Police Force, which will be made public, and to take place early. And I will want to give them… a maximum of two weeks.” If I find it wanting, then I’m prepared to look at examining any other option outside of the police themselves.”
He had further stated, “I think that we have to take the strongest possible action against all the perpetrators”.
“This action will not be limited to the direct participants, but all those involved will have “to bear some of the consequences”, Jagdeo added.
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, following receipt of the advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Commissioner of Police will provide the Minister of Home Affairs with the Police Report and the Director of Public Prosecutions’ advice, which will eventually be made public in keeping with President Jagdeo’s public commitment.
In the aftermath of the torture revelations, the Police Force carried out a major reshuffling of some of its top officers with West Demerara Divisional Commander Paulette Morrison being one of the major casualties.
Morrison, who has been posted to the Department of Development at Police Headquarters, Eve Leary will be replaced by Senior Superintendent Colin West who previously headed the Tactical Services Unit.
The move is being seen as a form of action against Assistant Commissioner Morrison who was in command of the division at the time of the incident.
Shortly after the news of the torture broke out Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee indicated at a press conference that he was seeking the interdiction of the Divisional Commander.
There were reports that the senior officer did not take appropriate action to safeguard the wellbeing of the tortured prisoner.
Rohee said that in light of the incident he had discussed a certain course of action with Commissioner of Police Henry Greene.
“I can’t say whether the Commissioner of Police has taken action but I’ve given general and specific directions to the Commissioner of my wishes and what should happen in that Division,” the Home Affairs Minister had told the media.
Two policemen have since been charged with the assault of another suspect related to the West Demerara murder investigations.
Charges have not yet been preferred as it relates to the tortured teenager.
Investigators were hoping that after he was released from hospital, the victim would have identified the police ranks who inflicted his injuries.
However that process was halted when the victims objected to him doing so in the absence of his lawyer.
Commissioner Greene indicated that the present stance by the victim could affect the quality of the identification as it relates to the police report.
Attorney-at-law Khemraj Ramjattan who is appearing on behalf of the injured teenager is presently out of the jurisdiction.
“We have our job to do. (But) we are waiting on the lawyer… whenever they are ready,” Greene told this newspaper.

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