Dear Editor,
I want to bring to the attention of those concerned a matter which has caused me grave concern and emotional stress. The relatives of a fourteen-year-old boy, my grandson, are asking for an enquiry, so as to provide them with answers as to why he was placed in the lock-ups at the Mackenzie Police Station, on the afternoon of Monday, January 18, between approximately 15:30 hours and 18:30 hours. The time cannot be exactly ascertained, but the police should have their record.
Some time after 15:00 hours on the day in question, the boy had asked his father’s permission to go to a friend to collect some pictures to complete his school project. On his way, a boy came out of a yard and they were walking on the road when a police patrol car drove up and they were ordered into the vehicle. At the station, he said that he told the officer that he was fourteen years old, but despite this, he was placed in the lock-ups with seven detainees. Subsequently he said seventeen prisoners came in.
However, a boy of his age happened to be at the station and he told the police that they were the same age; it was only then that he was removed and placed on the bench. His father was then called by the police and told to collect him.
My son-in-law said that he was told by the Commander that if children were found to be in any gang, they would be sent to the New Opportunity Corps if they were under age, and to the prison if they were of age.
I do not have a problem with the police carrying out their duty, but my concern is for the young and innocent persons who are being treated as criminals for no reason at all.
I would like to find out from the Commissioner of Police, if the action taken by the officer/s concerned was appropriate and whether the laws pertaining to the treatment of juveniles have changed.
The parents, grandparents and other relatives are very hurt and humiliated over this incident and we are demanding that our questions be answered by an investigation into the incident.
The emotional and psychological stress that this incident has caused this child cannot be erased, since the deed has already been done, but I trust that by writing this letter some positive action could be taken so that no other child would have to experience the treatment meted out to my grandson.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address
provided)
Editor’s note
We are sending a copy of this letter to the Commissioner of Police, Mr Henry Greene, for any comment he might wish to make.
