The Guyana Police Force yesterday announced the death of its Director of Music and Culture, Senior Superintendent Charmaine Stuart who passed away suddenly last evening.
In a brief statement, it said that after complaining of chest pains, Stuart was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she remained until her demise.
Stuart in 2016 became the first woman to head the force’s band, first band mistress, the first woman deputy in that department, as well as its first female officer.
In 2017 she was named the best overall cop for the year during its annual awards ceremony. The late Director had shared that music has always held her interest.
Never in my wildest dreams’
In an interview with the Sunday Stabroek in 2016, she had said: “Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would have ever been Band Mistress”.
Even though she was Deputy Superintendent, Stuart said she never took anything for granted. “Being me I just wanted to be humble and wait for things to be done and when it is done the correct way I would say ‘Yes,’” she stated.
“Females rising to the top in male dominated jobs is really good because when you look back and see how females were dealt with in the past… when you reach this position you say ‘Thank the Lord’ you have achieved.”
