Police Complaints Authority (PCA) Chairman, Retired Justice William Ramlall and a team of investigators on Tuesday met with the Mayor and Councillors of the Anna Regina Town Council, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) where they were briefed on the many corrupt practices within the Guyana Police Force in that Division.
Justice Ramlall told the officials that most of the reports received from residents in the Region were against the Traffic Department, the Police patrol and the middle management of the Force. On this note, he related that Region Two was topping the list for corrupt practices in the Guyana Police Force.
As such, he promised to investigate all matters that were reported to the Authority. He encouraged all stakeholders to get on board, including the Regional Administration, the Town Council and the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) to speak out against Police corruption.
Some of the main concerns raised were that traffic officers are harassing drivers by demanding bribes, and ranks were involved in drug trafficking, money laundering, and other illegal activities.
Another concern that was raised related to the issuance of fitness certificates for vehicles. Drivers have complained that the issuance officer was deliberately failing vehicles in the inspection so that drivers are forced to bribe him to get the document.
“The officer checking the engine oil, transmission fluid, radiator water, battery, jack, etc, just to fail you, then you have to pay up just to get three months even if you have a brand new vehicle, you have to go through the same harassment,” one driver told the PCA.
Residents welcomed the PCA presence in the Region and were hopeful that it would be able to stamp out the lawlessness within the Police Division, ultimately bringing back trustworthiness to the Police Force.
