Dear Editor,
On Saturday, March 14, 2015 I visited Sparendaam police station, where a family member had been arrested. Upon arriving I saw the officer who made the arrest writing the statement, and after that he told the individual to sign the document. That was when I became concerned, because the individual is semi-illiterate and the officer did not make any attempt to read the statement, but just told the person to sign. I intervened telling the individual not to sign until he had read it. Upon saying this an officer who was in civilian clothes standing behind the counter asked me who I was to say that. I told him I was a relation of the individual and it was the law that he should read the statement before he signed it.
After I said that the arresting officer who described himself as a corporal said in an indignant manner, “Get out of the station.” I left and went outside and he came again telling me to get out of the station.
Where is the respect of the police towards the people of this country? Is this the way police officers exasperate people by abusing their powers? As an individual who studied forensic science at a senior level in this country I am familiar with the procedures that policemen should follow, but I am beginning to wonder if the police are aware of the code of conduct to which they should subscribe.
I am calling on the relevant authorities and the newly appointed Commissioner of Police to investigate this matter. I remember when the Commissioner was acting in that position, he said he wouldn’t tolerate any rogue police officers, therefore I am looking forward to a response from him regarding this matter. I am recommending (CCTV) cameras be installed in every police station so the commissioner can see the behaviour of the persons we put in charge to look after the security of this country. I will write the Ombudsman Winston Moore for further advice.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address provided)
Editor’s note
We are sending a copy of this letter to Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud for any comment he might wish to make.
