Senior cop charged for verbal assault on junior rank, threat on civilian

Mar 21, 2017 News

– granted $120,000 bail

Twenty-nine year-old Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Frank Thompson, was yesterday arraigned before City Magistrate Judy Latchman in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Thompson was charged with verbal assault

Released on $120,000 bail: ASP Frank Thompson.

and using threatening language
It is alleged that on February 22 at Broad Street, Georgetown, Thompson used threatening language towards Hemchand Budhai and on the same day used abusive language towards Police Constable Leandre Gillis.
The unrepresented Thompson pleaded not guilty to both charges after they were read to him. The accused resides at 154 Back Street, Stewartville, West Coast Demerara,
Thompson, when asked if he has any other matter in any other court, told the Magistrate that he has a matter of careless driving.
Police Prosecutor Sanj Singh had no objection to bail being granted to the defendant and told the court that on the day in question, constable Gillis was on patrol duty at Broad Street, when he was stopped by Hemchand Budhai, who reported to him that Thompson’s vehicle had crashed into his vehicle which at the time had occupants.
Constable Gillis then accompanied Budhai to the scene. Thompson upon seeing Budhai approaching him started to use a series of indecent expressions towards him and threatened to kill him and the other occupants in the vehicle.
The court further heard that after constable Gillis told Thompson of the allegation made by Budhai, Thompson then asked the junior rank, “what the (expletive) you gon’ do about it?”
According to reports when being questioned by the junior rank with regard to the accident in which he was involved, the senior rank, who appeared to be intoxicated, apparently became abusive toward Budhai and the Police constable.
The ASP, who was subsequently requested by the junior rank to drive to the nearest police station, turned to the junior rank, who found himself at the end of the ASP’s verbal onslaught.
“You know me? Eh? Find out ‘bout me. If me had it me way, you won’t be a (expletive) recruit…Find out ‘bout me. Call ‘A’ Division. I would murder you (expletive) on the ground hey,” he allegedly exclaimed.
The junior rank was heard pleading with the senior rank to desist; however, he continued.
Footage of the incident, which has been circulating on social media, has prompted widespread condemnation and garnered several strongly–worded comments.
Further, the incident would have occurred at a time when reports have surfaced about the “unacceptable” attitude of some police officers.
Constable Gillis then went and reported the matter to his superior, Corporal Jones. Thomas was then escorted by the two ranks to the Brickdam Police Station.
The defendant was granted $120,000 bail by the Magistrate. In what should have been a normal routine for the Police to handcuff or shackle Thompson and send him down through the prisoners’ chute, this was not the case yesterday. Thompson was escorted by two of his colleagues to the police outpost without being handcuffed or shackled.
The father of one will make his next court appearance on March 27.