-still under close arrest
The police ranks accused of brutalising a prominent Bartica night club owner and a patron on Saturday night have been transferred from the area, one day after a community meeting was held to address the concerns of residents.
Divisional Commander (ag) Deryck Younge told Stabroek News yesterday that the ranks are at the Tactical Service Unit (TSU), Eve Leary and are still under close arrest. The ranks, who were stationed at the Bartica Police Station, were transferred on Thursday. Younge said that the investigation into the incident has been completed and the file is to be forwarded to the force’s administration.
The businessman, Winston Miller, 69, who is also a television talk show host, said he was assaulted after a police officer was denied free entry to his hangout spot, Sunset Boulevard, at Fourth Avenue.
In a statement issued yesterday, police noted that a visiting team of senior officers headed by Younge held an instruction class with ranks attached to the Bartica station, immediately after meeting with residents on Wednesday. “…They were appraised of the concerns of the community and urged to improve their standard of performance in order to better improve the quality of service to the public and the image of the force,” it said. The visiting team had earlier assured members of the community that action would be taken with a view to curbing such activities.
After being told that he had to pay the $1,000 entrance fee like everyone else, the infuriated rank had reportedly travelled to the Bartica Police Station, changed into his uniform and returned with three other policemen, including two “black clothes” ranks. Miller said the officer then demanded that the proprietor of the establishment step forward and when he (Miller) identified himself he was told that he was under arrest and commanded to enter the police pick-up. The businessman refused and later a gun was pointed at him by one of the ranks. He recalled being flung to the ground and trampled upon while being commanded to get into the police vehicle. He was kicked in his belly and his temple where he had an operation about eight years ago.
A patron, Javid Hamid tried to defend Miller but was gun butted.
He eventually lost his balance and broke a few tables and chairs as he crashed to the ground. He had a visible injury to his chest.
