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Need for independent inquiry into unlawful police killings – APNU
A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) through its leader, Brig. David Granger, has expressed its alarm at the recurring reports of the unlawful killings by members of the Guyana Police Force. The coalition is calling for an independent inquiry into all reports of police killings over the past eight years.
Shadow Minster of Home Affairs, Winston Felix
Granger said, yesterday, at the party’s weekly press conference at its Hadfield Street Headquarters, that the police force admitted that, between January 1, 1997 and October 18, 2012, its officers had killed 255 people.
Granger said that the United States Department of State, in its Country Report on Human Rights Practices for 2013 said that the Police Complaints Authority reported 14 unlawful killings by the police for 2012.
He said he is alarmed that the pattern persists under the Rohee reign, adding that there continues to be numerous confirmed reports of police killings.
Shawn Nidal Watkins, 42, who was shot dead by the police in May 2012; Shaquille Grant, 17, shot dead by the police in September 2012; Dameon Belgrave, 21, shot dead by the police in October 2012; and Tony Ogle, 46, Leon Gittens, 24, and Quincy Alexander, 33, who were shot dead by the police in February 2013, were some of the killings he identified.
The National Assembly had passed a motion of “No- Confidence” in July 2012 and repeated the call of the partnership to President Donald Ramotar to revoke Rohee’s appointment to the Ministry since he was not capable of bringing the scourge of unlawful police killings to an end, APNU stated.
Also supporting Granger’s comments was APNU Parliamentarian, James Bond. The lawyer opined that the Guyana Police Force lacks the training to properly respond to certain crimes and as such he reiterated the coalition’s call for the comprehensive reform of the sector.
Bond also expressed his disgust at the fact that prosecutions for unlawful killings by police officers occur in a slothful manner when they are brought before the courts. He reminded that the Country Report on Human Rights Practices for 2013 suggests that there was an unlawful killing per month. This warrants immediate attention, he added.
The coalition’s Shadow Minister of Home Affairs, Winston Felix, said that the actions of the officers of the force reflect rank indiscipline. They continue to violate certain human rights.
Belgrave Killing
Dameon Belgrave, who was celebrating his 21st birthday at the Hadfield Street Fish Shop, was allegedly shot and killed by a police officer. Two police officers were charged with manslaughter but the case was subsequently dismissed by a city magistrate on May 8, as a ballistics report showed that the bullet that killed Belgrave did not belong to the firearms of the officers charged.
It reportedly came from the weapon carried by a third officer who was not charged for the crime.
Dameon Belgrave, shot and killed in October 2012
Felix said that the investigation belonged to the force and all those involved should have been held, firearms seized, marked and examined and lodged, and bodies of all examined for gun powder residue. He added that if they recovered a warhead it should have been compared with whichever of the firearms were fired to determine which gun it came from.
Felix opined that proper investigation should have sifted out that the two officers did not commit the act.
He said, “I think it is the duty of the police to take a step back and take a second look at all of their failings, and outline for the force the way forward.”
The former Top Cop added, “Coming to clean your face in the public is not good for the organization. Running to the public crying is not a proper response. There are two parties to it, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the Police, and both should have observed where elements were going wrong.”
The former Top Cop added that the administration needs to pay attention to police discipline. He also suggested immediate training of the officers.
“Nothing can strengthen an institution like training; it brings in structure and I am supportive of the reform process,” Felix concluded.
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