Police Commissioner, Berbice residents clash over alleged ‘dirty cops’

[www.inewsguyana.com] – Residents of Upper Corentyne Berbice on Tuesday, January 28 met with Commissioner of Police, Leroy Brumell and the Top Brass of the Force and those from the Police B Division.

This evening the residents expressed dissatisfaction with the modus operandi of the police in the division especially those on the Corentyne.

Among the main issues raised was that of the police involvement in criminal activities and their reluctance to investigate reports of major crimes.

The police team was greeted by a packed school of residents from surrounding communities. The Commissioner decided to visit the community following a protest by the residents on Sunday night (January 26), who blocked the road, after accusing the police officers of being involved in criminal activities.

There was a very vocal call for the tax free salaries for police officers at the lower ranking to prevent them from being involved in unlawful activities.

There was also a call for there to be joint operations between the police and army with respect to police patrols of the communities. With respect to the call for firearms, Commissioner Brumell explained that there is a process which has to be followed and one of the main issues is the attitude of those who wish to acquire firearms.

iNews will provide a more in depth story shortly.