Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn on Wednes-day said that there has been an increase in attacks on members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) by members of the public as of recent, a situation which he described as “very distressing”.
As such, he called on members of the public to desist from attacking police officers, who he said are “peace officers”, who ought to protect themselves if attacked.
“People need to be reminded that police officers are peace officers and interfacing with the police force and its members has to be with keeping the peace and law and order. The police have a duty to the public and to the government and to the force and to themselves, to protect themselves if attacked,” Benn said.
“….The policemen cannot responsibly do their duty if people feel they can run out and attack policemen, violently, with wea-pons and knives and cuff and all those things. I am asking the policemen to take reasonable precautions to protect themselves”, he added.
Benn made this disclosure while interacting with members of the media on the sidelines of the commissioning of the Brick-dam Police Station lockups.
He advised persons who may have conflicts with members of the force to adopt an approach which will result in a “peaceful” and “orderly” resolution.
“We do not want us going back to situations where policemen were shot. Let those be the bygone days, but the policemen cannot responsibly do their duty if people feel they can run out and attack policemen violently with weapons,” he said.
Benn’s comment on the issue came just two days after the GPF said that ranks tend to exercise “significant” restraint in instances where they are attacked, exposing themselves to serious injuries.
“….Notably, all the attacks reviewed and reports received, comprise all the elements of a serious threat to life and safety of the law enforcement officers targeted, as well as persons within proximity, and in so doing render any action taken by the police to mitigate these threats as lawful,” the police in a statement warned.
As such, the police warned members of the public to desist from such behaviour, which they say can lead to life threatening consequences.
“The Guyana Police Force is calling on members of the public, who may be tempted to carry out such actions, to refrain from doing so, as they would not only be in violation of the law, but can invoke life threatening consequences. Conse-quences we would wish to avoid as we continue to execute our mandate of preservation of the peace and prevention and detection of crime to the benefit of all law-abiding citizens and Guyana as a whole,” the police said.
Just last Friday, a member of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Lance Corporal Kester Bowen was arrested after he was allegedly caught on video assaulting a police officer on duty at the western end of the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB).
The police had said Constable 24030 Wilson, who was at the time conducting anti-crime patrol duties at the DHB, observed a dark grey car, driven by Bowen, trying to change lanes.
The action of the soldier caused traffic congestion, the police said.
As a result, Constable Wilson approached Bowen, told him of the offence committed and instructed him to pull to the corner of the road.
The police said the soldier became annoyed, exited the vehicle and allegedly shoved Constable Wilson. Constable Wilson, with the assistance of other ranks, were later successful in arresting Bowen. Constable Wilson was taken to the West Demerara Regional hospital, where he was treated and discharged.
Bowen has since been charged with assault.
