Transferred inspector denies police’s version of checkpoint stop

Jul 25, 2018 News

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An inspector battling the police force hierarchy after he was suddenly transferred to the East Coast Demerara in April is denying the version as stated by the force this week.

According to Inspector Godfrey Playter, who is now awaiting the swearing in of the Police Service Commission to file a complaint, he had made attempts to ventilate his concerns privately with the hope of having the matter resolved amicably.
He sent letters to Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, the Attorney-General and the Ministry of the Presidency.
“However, months later, it would appear that nothing definitive would have been done. Thus, as a result of a frustrated mind, I was forced to bring the issue to the media’s attention. While there may be some regrets, in my humble opinion it was a last resort,” Playter said in a statement yesterday.
The inspector was transferred in April after being summoned to a meeting with Assistant Commissioners Maxine Graham and Clifton Hicken. He was questioned about the events on March 22, 2018, at the eastern end of the Berbice Bridge where police has established a checkpoint.
Playter had contended that a Route 45 minibus was stopped. The driver had no road service licence and no permit to be up in Berbice.
An occupant of the bus reportedly made a call and told Playter to talk to the “boss man”.
However, the inspector, who was in charge of the checkpoint, refused. He said he was not told who the “boss man” was.
It later turned out that it was Commissioner of Police (ag), David Ramnarine on the line.
According to the inspector, he was called by his commander and advised that he should have taken the call.
A few weeks later, Playter said he was summoned to the meeting and then transferred.
He sent a letter to Minister Ramjattan complaining about the issue in April. However, the minister is still investigating the case.
Following the publication of the story, based on the letter this week, the police, while not addressing the details of why the Commissioner allegedly made the call to a civilian phone to speak to an inspector, claimed that Playter was rude to the occupants of the minibus.
The police said that two policemen were in the bus.
The police force also said that Playter apologized for the incident at the bridge.
The inspector, who has been with the force for over 30 years, is a prosecutor as well.
He was transferred to Cove and John, East Coast Demerara, in Region Four. He lives at Albion, in Region Six, East Berbice.
According to Playter in his response to the police yesterday, the four occupants of the bus on the day were all attired in plain clothes and at no time did anyone say who they were.
“I wish to state categorically that I did not subject the bus to stop nor I was not the person who requested documents, it was a female traffic rank (name could be supplied if needed). She was the rank who observed the deficiencies and relayed same to a Lance Corporal who engaged me and then I engaged the driver who was about 20 feet away from his bus. At no time while the driver was engaged, did I or no one in my presence made (sic) any uncomplimentary remarks to him, the other occupants, nor was anything said about anyone.”
With regard to the documents, Playter said that it should also be known that pertinent information that should be recorded was missing- that is name and address of the driver.
“The driver had also stated, when questioned about his road service he arrogantly responded “it left at Brickdam”. So to say that I did not understand, is absurd. With regards to being summoned to a “meeting” with the Assistant Commissioners, the inspector said that he did not think in his wildest dreams that the attending parties were to pronounce on his guilt.
“During the said “meeting” the traffic chief was not present as was claimed. Before the “meeting” commenced Mr. Hicken’s utterances were, that he was mandated by Mr. Ramnarine to conduct an inquiry about the incident and to report to him accordingly, the findings. It is therefore puzzling that the administration would refer to the inquiry as a “meeting”.”
With reference to his apology, this was only to avoid any further conflict with his job.
“While I will not dispute the management tool used to promote efficiency adapted by the force, it should be noted that during my tenure in the Guyana Police Force, I was transferred on several occasions and proceeded on those transfers without hindrance (not for wrong things). The question begs then, why in this instance, two days after the inquiry I was moved.”
Playter insisted that despite the “surprise” of the police, he was indeed sick and on the advice of two ophthalmologists, his health was paramount.
“I am still awaiting (sic) to have a cataract surgery to be done on my left eye (medical records at the Opthalomogy centre at Port Mourant could attest to this). It should be noted that upon the expiring of 28 days sick leave, I reported on the posting to ASP Telford, who referred me back to ‘B’ Division.  Commander at that time, Mr. Ian Amsterdam, who upon his engagement, instructed me to resume my duties in the division.”
The inspector stuck by his guns that he was unjustly treated at a time that he was going through eye deficiencies and the posting to ‘C’ Division placed him under financial constraints and was demoralising also to his family.

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