Cop detained for allegedly battering wife, hitting victim’s sister with spade

Jun 11, 2018 News

– reportedly only ‘warned’ before when complaints made

Even as police seek to address complaints about their response to domestic violence, one of their colleagues is being accused of wife battery.
The rank is a police corporal who is at present under close arrest for allegedly beating his spouse, and inflicting a beating on his sister-in law with a spade when she intervened.

Red Thread officials with the police officers

Kaieteur News understands that the incident occurred at the rank’s East Coast Demerara home.
He was placed under arrest when one of the women filed a complaint. However, there are reports that he is seeking to arrange a financial settlement with the victims.
Kaieteur New understands that the spouse has filed similar complaints against her husband. He was reportedly always warned but was never arrested.
Some of his colleagues said that the rank’s violence is aggravated by substance abuse and they have expressed concern for his spouse’s safety.
For the year, police have investigated eight murders in which women were brutally slain by spouses or other male associates. This newspaper had reported that 16 women were slain under similar circumstances last year.
In June 2016, Kaieteur news reported that ten women were slain by male associates in a five-month period.
Clinical Social Worker and Women’s Right Activist recently stated that these murders are occurring with impunity “because there is no concrete comprehensive prevention plan to arrest and stem the tide of violence against women and girls.”
The allegations come at a time when the Guyana Police Force has been working to educate its ranks about responding to incidents of domestic violence.
Senior members of the Guyana Police Force including Crime Chief, Assistant Commissioner Paul Williams, DSM, recently met with Ms. Karen De Souza and other representatives of Red Thread.
The discussion surrounded a preliminary report of a two-year project on “Engaging communities for improving implementation of Domestic Violence laws”.
The researchers observed how ranks from various police stations were dealing with domestic violence and other related matters.
According to the police, from the discussion, both positive and negative behaviour and actions were observed, but during the meeting those issues were addressed.
“Also the officers in attendance pledged to continue to focus on strengthening their collaborative efforts, in addressing Domestic Violence, Child Abuse, Sexual Offences and other aspects of crime prevention.”