The Home Affairs Ministry is awaiting a report from acting Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell on the circumstances that prompted the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to advise against pursuing charges against two suspects arrested over the killing of police corporal Romein Cleto.
In a statement on Thursday, the ministry noted its “dismay” at the developments and said it is particularly interested in “learning about the flaws in the police investigations” and that it would try to address these deficiencies at a policy level.
The ministry has recently been issuing regular press releases on issues involving the institutions for which it is responsible, particularly the Guyana Police Force.
“The Ministry shares the disappointment with the relatives of the deceased on the setback in the matter. It is our hope that with diligence and persistence the police will achieve the breakthrough we all anticipate in order that justice may be served,” it said, in wake of the recent withdrawal of the murder charge against Shaka Chase, who has alleged that he was tortured by police to sign a confession.
The ministry said that it had requested the police report from Brumell, while noting that it has also “directed” him to investigate through the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) the allegations of torture committed on the suspects who had been arrested.
Police have come under heavy criticism over the institution of the charge against Chase amidst allegations that he was severely beaten and shocked into confessing that he was responsible for the April 27 fatal shooting of Cleto.
Police only took the detained Chase to the hospital following a visit by his lawyer.
More than 72 hours after he was arrested, Chase was formally charged with the murder, despite statements from multiple persons who placed him at a different location at the time of the shooting.
After he was charged, the case file was sent to DPP Shalimar Ali-hack for advice. Days later the police were advised to withdraw the charge against Chase and the police complied. Though a reason was not stated in court, the DPP later told Stabroek News that the advice to withdraw the charge was given because there was insufficient evidence to identify the shooter or his accomplices based on a review of 40 statements related to the case.
Crime Chief Seelall Persaud has since said that police felt that the case against Chase was clear cut as they were in possession of evidence from “the girl, gunpowder and his confession.”
The other suspect, Reagan Rodrigues, who was arrested three days after Chase, was also released based on advice from the DPP. He was held after the confession that Chase was reportedly forced to sign contained his name.
With the release of the duo, Persaud issued a public appeal for witnesses in the matter to come forward.
Cleto was shot dead while constables Randy Daly and Anil Rajpersaud were injured when gunmen opened fire on them on Avenue of the Republic, in the vicinity of Regent Street.
At the time, the ranks were on a routine patrol and reportedly spotted a suspicious white car on Avenue of the Republic in the vicinity of Robb Street. The occupants did not heed the police’s instruction to stop and were eventually forced to halt at a traffic light. It was when the policemen were making their way to the car on foot that the occupants opened fire. Based on ballistic results, two weapons including a rifle were used in the shooting.
Persaud has since said that the information is that the gunmen who attacked the policemen were on their way to do a hit when the police patrol challenged them.
