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When will it end?
Dear Editor,
The death of 32-year-old Gavin Kennard Douglas, who died while in police custody at the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station on Saturday, October 31, 2026, is another deeply troubling incident that demands the attention of every Guyanese. My deepest condolences are extended to his mother, father, family, friends and loved ones, who are now left to grapple with the pain of losing someone dear to them under circumstances that demand serious answers.
Let us be clear: regardless of the allegations against Mr. Douglas, he was presumed innocent under the law. Being arrested does not mean that a person forfeits his constitutional rights, dignity or right to life. When an individual is taken into police custody, the State assumes responsibility for that person’s safety and well-being. The Guyana Police Force therefore has a fundamental duty to protect, not endanger, the lives of those placed in its care.
What makes this incident particularly disturbing are the findings of the post-mortem examination conducted by Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh on November 2, 2026. The examination determined that Gavin died from a brain haemorrhage caused by blunt trauma. Additionally, two Taser studs were removed from his body and lodged as exhibits. These findings raise serious questions that cannot be brushed aside. How did a young man who was taken into police custody alive sustain injuries resulting in a fatal brain haemorrhage? What exactly transpired inside the police station? Was the force used against him necessary and proportionate? Were established procedures followed? Were there adequate safeguards to protect his life while he was detained?
These are not unreasonable questions. They are questions that the family and the Guyanese public deserve to have answered. I note that six police ranks have reportedly been placed under close arrest as the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) continues its investigation. While this development is acknowledged, arrests alone are not accountability. The public must be assured that the investigation will be thorough, independent, impartial and transparent, and that no attempt will be made to shield anyone from responsibility.
I am particularly concerned about the growing public anxiety surrounding deaths in police custody. The deaths of Jordan Payne, Hemat Kumar Mohamed and now Gavin Kennard Douglas have brought renewed attention to the treatment of persons detained by the Guyana Police Force.
HOW MANY MORE FAMILIES MUST BE LEFT GRIEVING BEFORE THERE IS MEANINGFUL ACCOUNTABILITY?
The Minister of Home Affairs, Ms. Oneidge Walrond, has publicly promised a thorough and impartial investigation. I welcome that commitment. However, the people of Guyana must see concrete action, not merely assurances.
I stand in support of the call for:
- An independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Gavin Douglas’s death, with appropriate external oversight.
- The preservation and examination of all CCTV footage, station records, custody registers, medical records and other relevant evidence.
- A transparent account of the events leading to his injuries, including the circumstances in which force and Taser equipment were used.
- The timely disclosure of the investigation’s findings to the family and the public, subject to the requirements of the law.
- Appropriate disciplinary and criminal proceedings against anyone found responsible, in accordance with the law.
- A comprehensive review of police detention procedures, the use of force and the protection of persons in custody.
The Guyana Police Force must understand that public confidence cannot be maintained through statements and promises alone. It must be earned through professionalism, respect for human rights, transparency and accountability. The right to life is fundamental. No person should enter a police station alive and leave in a coffin without the circumstances surrounding that death being fully and credibly explained. This is not about defending criminality or interfering with the work of law enforcement. It is about defending the rule of law and insisting that those entrusted with enforcing the law must also be accountable to it. Gavin Kennard Douglas was someone’s son, someone’s brother and a member of our society. His life mattered. His family deserves justice, and the people of Guyana deserve answers.
Yours faithfully,
Annette Ferguson
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