Dear Editor,
I write to publicize the constant and unrelenting harassment, victimization and abuse perpetrated on my son, Marlon Dolphin, by the Guyana Police Force. The police and the media have been portraying Marlon as a serial criminal when, in fact, he is a serial victim of police harassment and malicious prosecution. Within the last nine months, Marlon has been thrice charged, and remanded to prison, for the following offences: armed robbery (2 counts), larceny by clerk or servant and simple larceny. His first charge, of armed robbery, was made pursuant to allegations by a co-worker and policeman friend after his work environment had become exceedingly hostile; he was tried in court and succeeded in having those charges dismissed. A few days into a new job he visited the police to report a robbery and was promptly charged for being responsible for the crime. That trial had not even begun when he visited the police to report an assault on himself earlier this month and was promptly charged for larceny when his assailant made a counter-allegation, and so he was remanded to prison for a third time. On the previous occasions I felt compelled to write to the Commissioner of Police and Director of Public Prosecutions to complain of police harassment and malicious prosecution. On this occasion I have written them both again to demand an end to police harassment and an investigation into these allegations, including my allegation of torture.
A copy of my letter to the DPP in this regard is attached for your information.
Yours faithfully,
Oscar Dolphin
Editor’s note
We are sending a copy of this letter to Commissioner of Police Leroy Brumell for any comment he might wish to make.
