Police probing incident where senior cop captured on video abusing junior rank

The participants of the various training courses shortly after the opening ceremony yesterday morning. Seated in front from left are Assistant Commissioner of Police and Force Finance Officer Nigel Hoppie, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Operations) Christopher Griffith, Acting Commissioner of Police David Ramnarine, Force Training Officer and Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Williams and Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum.
The participants of the various training courses shortly after the opening ceremony yesterday morning. Seated in front from left are Assistant Commissioner of Police and Force Finance Officer Nigel Hoppie, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Operations) Christopher Griffith, Acting Commissioner of Police David Ramnarine, Force Training Officer and Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Williams and Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum.

An Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) who was seen verbally threatening and abusing junior ranks of the force in a video recorded last month, is now the subject of an investigation and is likely to face charges soon, according to Acting Commissioner of Police David Ramnarine.

“The matter is being investigated in terms of looking at it from its entirety and we should be seeking legal advice shortly,” Ramnarine told reporters yesterday morning.

In the six-minute video, which was circulated on popular social media site Facebook last month, the ASP was heard constantly blurting out threatening and abusive language to at least two junior ranks of the Guyana Police Force who were investigating an accident in which the senior officer had been involved.

The incident occurred on February 22 on at La Penitence after the ASP was stopped and questioned by police ranks after he allegedly struck another car.

The Assistant Superintendent of Police (right) seen arguing with the police constable in a still from the video.

During this process, the ASP was heard verbally abusing a junior rank who had taken his driver’s licence. The rank was heard requesting the ASP to drive to the Ruimveldt Police station but he refused. “Hello police wuh I do wrong?” was what the ASP continuously asked during which he made use of indecent language.

The ASP further told the constable to “find out about me buddy” as he was heard threatening to murder the constable.

Ramnarine who described the video as “disgusting as it is”, told reporters that since the officer was a gazetted rank, the matter will be sent to the Police Service Commission. In the meantime, he said the ASP remains on duty.

However, when asked if the ASP will be charged in relation to the accident, the acting Commissioner of Police said that can only be determined after legal advice is sought.