Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn is calling on the public to stop attacking police officers as this is unlawful and officers can take reasonable measures to protect themselves in such situations.
According to the Department of Public Information, Minister Benn said the number of incidents where members of the public have assaulted the police is alarming.
He said that the public must be reminded that police officers are peace officers and they can “protect themselves if attacked”.
“I am asking the policemen to take reasonable precautions to protect themselves and I want to advise the public to desist from attacking policemen and women,” the Minister was quoted by DPI as saying.
“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,” the Minister expressed recently.
Meanwhile, in a statement issued last evening, the Guyana Police Force said over the years, ranks have exercised considerable restraint in situations where they have been attacked by the public.
However, the Force cautioned persons from engaging in those behaviours as they “can invoke life-threatening consequences.”
The Force is therefore urging the public to observe the law.
