AFC calls for independent police oversight authority

Apr 24, 2025 News

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—says no former or current law enforcement officer should be appointed

Kaieteur News- Against the background of the recent killing of two youths in Linden by members of the Guyana Police Force, the Alliance for Change (AFC) is calling on the government to establish an Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA).

They are also calling for all the parties within the National Assembly to rise above politics and urgently act to have the authority established, as it is not to address a matter of policy, but one of human life, justice, and trust in the country’s democracy. “These young men, sons of Linden, are the latest in a painful history of Guyanese lives lost at the hands of those sworn to protect and serve. Their deaths echo the tragedy of 2012, when three Lindeners were shot dead by police during protests,” the AFC said. The AFC was referring to Ronald Peters and Keon Fogenay who were shot and killed by police two weeks ago.

The party quoted the findings of a Commission of Inquiry conducted back in 2012, when again three Linden protesters were shot and killed by police. The AFC said in that COI it was clearly recommended that “The police must be held accountable… abuses should be independently investigated in a professional way… such an authority must have the necessary powers and resources to be effective lest citizens demonstrate no confidence in it.” (COI Report, 2012 – Paragraph 185)

The AFC lamented that it has been more than a decade later and the recommendation is yet to be implemented, hence, the cost of that inaction can now be measured in the lives lost and trust destroyed. The AFC is proposing that a resolution be laid in the House on April 25, 2025, calling for the immediate establishment of a civilian-led body, which has full powers to investigate any misconduct within the ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and to recommend disciplinary actions.

The party does not want its call to be seen as an attack on the GPF but rather as a commitment to accountability and justice for the victims and their families, as well as the other officers who are serving with integrity, hence deserving the public’s trust.

Leader of the AFC and Attorney at Law, Nigel Hughes, has been championing institutional reform and the protection of constitutional rights. The proposal for this authority to be established is built on his decades of knowledge and experiences amassed while working within the legal and justice sector, the party said in the statement.

Hughes stated: “If there is no trust in justice, there is no justice at all. And if there is no accountability in power, power becomes abuse.”

The AFC has outlined a clear framework; the independent authority should have 12 members, appointed by the Parliament, but there should be no former or current law enforcement officers appointed. There should also be “Full investigative powers, including subpoena authority and access to all relevant police evidence and body-camera footage.”

Thirdly, the AFC said there should be mandated transparency with community engagement and regular public reporting, and lastly, there should be funding directly via the House so as the ensure total independence from both police and political control. The AFC believes that such a resolution will be a test to the conscience of the nation as citizens of all ages and backgrounds continue to ask the simple question of “Who will stand for justice?” “The AFC calls on every Member of Parliament, regardless of affiliation, to stand with the people and vote to establish the IPOA. Let us show that Guyana can be fair, free, and united in our pursuit of justice,” the statement concluded.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Tuesday said in a statement that its Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) and the Regional Security System (RSS) have completed their investigations into the killing of Ronaldo Peters. “The case file is expected to be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) (Shalimar Ali Hack SC) by April 23rd, 2025, to obtain legal advice”, police stated.

Meanwhile, investigations are still ongoing into the killing of Peters’ friend Keon Fogenay. Fogenay was killed hours later during protest actions over the killing of Peters. According to police, additional witnesses were to be interviewed on Tuesday to complete the investigation into Fogenay’s case. “The RSS is also expected to submit a report containing findings and recommendations”, police added.

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• AFC, independent body, Linden killings, police

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