Dear Editor,

The brutality meted out to a child while in custody of the Guyana Police Force as reported in the print media shows the level of depravity in sections of our disciplined services. We, the members of the Pattensen Community Development Council (PCDC) condemn the actions of the officers who participated in this brutality and who sought to cover up.

We call on the Government to ensure that the child receives all the medical attention which is needed and any other support to recover from this traumatic incident.

The PCDC is a partner in the Pickney Project. We were happy to host officers of the Guyana Police Force in March 2009 at a training workshop on Child Protection. We believe that the leadership of the Guyana Police Force should recognize the efforts of those who are ensuring that children who come into contact with law enforcement agencies are treated humanely.

We however note the fact that a picture was taken and presented in the public from that seemingly inhumane environment where the person(s) responsible were involved in that brutish and despicable behavior. It means someone(s) with integrity and a heart for justice was present there. We salute those who did the ‘right’ thing in making that picture available, he/she/they are the bastions of the nation’s hope and trust in our Police Force.

Yours faithfully,
PCDC Executive:
O. Ellis,
C. Marks,
M. Moore,
C. Patterson,
S. Ogle