Unprofessional police ranks must go – Minister Benn

Oct 11, 2012 News

Acting Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn, has stated that there is a ‘great problem’ within the Guyana Police Force, and he sees the need for fundamental changes.
“Where there is a great problem there is room for self examination and this also opens the door for fundamental change. Once you properly identify the problem then changes can be made.”
Benn’s statement comes close on the heels of a recent shooting outside a popular night spot which led to the death of a young man who was celebrating his birthday. The lad was reportedly shot by police ranks who said that they were on a ‘high speed chase’ which ended at the crowded night spot.
The Minister stated that it is not his belief and no one should believe that any one in the Police Force would have wanted to go to the Fish Shop and shoot and kill the young man.
“Without wanting to prejudice any investigation, inquiry or court hearing, that shooting in a level manner in a crowded area could not be justified without warning and other resorts being taken.”
The Minister also stated that during a recent event involving senior ranks of the Force, and in a conversation with the Police Commissioner and other security officials, he came to the belief that the intention is there to operate by the service and protection creed with a high level of professionalism.
“Even if there are criminals and murderers and other people out there in our society as in any other society, the desire is to ensure that there is law and order, that we would want to assure the public and the Guyanese people, to restore the confidence of the Guyanese people in the force”.
The Acting Home Affairs Minister added that the administration would like to see the force operate professionally and at the same time with compassion.
Benn further called on those ranks who cannot meet the standards to simply leave the organisation.
Over the past few months the Police Force has come in for fierce criticisms that started with the shooting to death of the three Linden protestors, Ron Somerset, Shemroy Bouyea and Allan Lewis on July 18.
This was followed by the fatal shooting of an Agricola teen, Shaquille Grant by the police. On Friday evening another youth, Dameon Belgrave, was shot by the police while celebrating on the eve of his birthday.
To date an inquiry has begun into the Linden killings; one police rank has been charged with murder in connection with the Agricola shooting, while two other ranks are on the run as wanted bulletins have been issued for them.
The ranks allegedly involved in Belgrave’s shooting have been placed under close arrest as investigations are ongoing.

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Unprofessional police ranks must go – Minister Benn

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