Dear Editor,

The Guyana Police Force is responding to a letter published in the Stabroek News of February 10, 2009, under the caption ‘Some Essequibo cases involving mothers seeking support are stalled because of no returns of service in the case jackets,’ a copy of which was forwarded to the Commissioner of Police.

In the letter to the editor, Mr Baliram Persaud alleged that police ranks within the Essequibo Magisterial District of Region 2 are derelict in their responsibility to submit returns of service (of summonses) expeditiously in court matters. He went on to state that while in the Suddie Court at the end of January, he saw several mothers seeking affiliation orders, but who had their cases postponed because there were no returns of service in the case jackets.

Investigations have been conducted into these allegations which revealed that the situation alluded to by Baliram Persaud does not exist as summonses are being served on a timely basis by the ranks.

A check of the records at the police stations revealed that all affiliation summonses received for 2008 and up to March, 2009, were served with the exception of two cases, where the defendants were out of the jurisdiction. In all cases the return of service was returned to the court for filing.

During March 2009 contact was also made with the Clerk of Court of the Suddie Magistrate’s Court who in a written response indicated that during the month of January 2009, sixteen (16) child support matters were heard by Magistrate Faith McGusty. Orders were granted for five matters, two matters were struck out due to non-attendance of the parties and nine adjourned. Of the nine adjourned matters three were for trial (part heard), and six were not served matters of which two of the defendants were out of the jurisdiction.

A recent check with the Clerk of Court has revealed that all the summonses in the not-served matters have since been served and they are presently before the court.

Yours faithfully,
Ivelaw Whittaker
Public Relations
and  Press Officer
Guyana Police Force