Police Commissioner defends unprotected policemen in Middle Street shooting

[www.inewsguyana.com] – Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell on Monday (December 9) said that policemen who were part of the combat on Middle Street in November with berserk businessman Deryck Kanhai, where two police men lost their lives were not all dispatched from the Guyana Police Force Headquarters.

The Police Commissioner made the comment when asked why most of the policemen were not wearing protective gear. The Top Cop said that many of the ranks were on the road performing other duties and were on their own business when called to Middle Street to support other ranks who had responded to the situation.

According to Brumell, all ranks who were sent to the scene from the Force’s Headquarters were properly fitted with their safety gear and ready for combat.

When asked if the situation would be different if there is a similar encounter, the Commissioner said that the matter is being addressed. He told iNews that once ranks are on the ground, the necessary resources and equipment will be provided to them to aid in their work.

According to Brumell, the issue of persons just rushing to a scene undocumented and having resources and materials issued to them on the ground without any proper form of accountability process is not necessarily going to be a priority for the Force but the options are opened and judgment will be exercised in such cases.

On the day in question, two policemen lost their lives while combating a berserk businessman who opened fire indiscriminately killing two civilians in the process before he was shot.  A total of five persons were killed on that day. [Leroy Smith]