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What are the powers of the City Police?

Jan 21, 2018 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

 

The Mayor and City Council of Georgetown has once again come under the spotlight, following an incident last week in which a young man, believed to be mentally ill, was fatally shot. The facts surrounding that incident are occupying the attention of the court and therefore this column will not comment on that particular aspect of the matter.
The incident, however, did raise concerns about the powers that are vested in the City Police and the circumstances under which those powers are exercised. What is known is that there are concerns about the attitude, on the job, of some city police, especially those who ride around on bicycles. Some of these guys have an “attitude”, an aggressive attitude which they use against members of the public.
Over the past Christmas holiday, a group of them would stop by a water coconut vendor on Church Street. They would drink the man’s water coconuts but not have the decency to pay him for it. They would also be making indiscreet comments to members of the public passing by. It is as if they had no respect for citizens. How then could they be expected to uphold the law when they had such an attitude towards the public?
The public is no wiser as to just what are the functions of the city police. The Mayor and City Council should outline to the public just what are the functions of the City Police. What powers of arrest do they have and what offences are within their jurisdiction?
The Municipal and Districts Council states that a member of the city constabulary has all the powers and immunities of a constable of the Guyana Police Force. Judging from the attitude of some of these “bicycle cops”, it would seem as if they believe that they can chase down persons for any criminal offence and arrest them. Yet one has to question whether these city police have had the training which is usually accorded to members of the regular police force.
Illegal vending is spreading throughout the city. Vendors are taking up positions which were once used for public parking near to the markets. This means that there is less space for parking. It is also increasing the amount of traffic congestion. So just who is responsible for determining whether someone is vending illegally or not?
If the city police are responsible for preventing offences against the city’s laws, then how come there is so much illegal vending taking place. How come the city’s pavements are being encumbered and no action is being taken.
Should the city police not assume responsibility for directing traffic on city streets, seeing that they seem to be behaving as if they have all the powers of a traditional member of the Guyana Police Force? Should they not be controlling traffic at most of the busy intersections of the city which are not public roads.
The Mayor and City Council should publicly notify the public as to the functions of the city police and the limitations of the exercise of that power.
The Mayor and City Council should also indicate the process which is being used to recruit these persons for the jobs, whether detailed background checks are done and whether checks are made on their background, including any possible criminal records, before they are employed.
Too many city police have the wrong attitude. You do not place powers of arrest into the wrong hands. You will end up with ignorance rather than reason ruling the roost.

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