By Tracey Khan – Drakes
[www.inewsguyana.com] – Commissioner of Police (ag), Seelall Persaud has condemned the approach taken by officers of the Sparendaam Police Station regarding 19 – year-old Junior Thorrington who was reportedly burnt on his hand by a police officer.
The Commissioner in an exclusive interview with iNews said there were several breaches in how the matter was handled and investigations will be done thoroughly to ensure justice is served.
The Top Cop also told iNews that he is unaware of any settlement between the implicated rank and the family of the teen; but noted that if the matter does not stand in court, because of the family’s decision, internal action will be taken against the officer.
iNews confirmed that the father of the 19 – year-old accepted $100,000 from the police rank who allegedly tortured his son. However, it was made clear that the money will be used for transportation purposes.
According to the Police Commissioner, efforts to stop the investigation by ranks will be dealt with and will not be condoned.
The matter is engaging the attention of Police Office of Professional Responsibility, after which it will be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice.
The Commissioner noted that a representative from civil society will assist the police with their investigation in an effort to increase public trust in the force.
He also expressed disappointment in the timeframe the matter was reported noting that the incident took place on May 27 and ranks at the Police station failed to report the occurrence.
It was noted that at the time of the incident, the teen was being investigated for a criminal offence which occurred between May 25 and 27.
iNews was also reliably informed by a source close to the investigation that the officer in charge of the Police Station was fingered in the 2009 torture of another teenager at the Leonora Police Station.
In that case, the child was burnt to his genitals with the use of a lighter and methylated spirits. iNews was also informed by a source that at this point no police rank from the Sparendaam Police Station is under close arrest.
This latest incident comes even as the police are working with several communities to get young people to have a better relationship with the police as well as the ongoing investigations of one case of police brutality and torture at the Timheri Police Station and another case of police excesses where a cadet officer shot a teenager in his mouth.
condemned and or departmental justice will in no way solved this nor any other acts of police brutalities, it time Commissioner the Force break ties with these type of cops.
most importantly there is need for a complete revisiting of the enrolling process, the training syllabus and method of instruction.
Guyana will be better serve by a one thousand strong professional police force than one that is filled and manned by incompetence and unprofessionalism.