15 policemen dismissed for unprofessional conduct

– another 15 transferred

FIFTEEN policemen were dismissed from the Guyana Police Force following charges of robbery under arms, simple larceny, wounding and other offences, while another 15 ranks were transferred or re-assigned other duties because of other misconduct, acting Commissioner David Ramnarine said Friday.“They never understood that the public they chose to serve did not take an oath, they did. And they wore a uniform, so we had to let them go,” Ramnarine stated at a press conference.

In explaining the actions in one of the dismissals, Ramnarine said one rank attended an event of great significance to the country. During the occasion, one of the dignitaries misplaced a cellular phone. The rank picked up the phone and was advised on what to do with it, but he chose to do differently.

The phone was eventually found in his possession. He noted that two constables are going to be charged this week with simple larceny. They also stole a cellular phone.

“These are guys who don’t even have six months service yet, and this is not to say in the training environment we don’t make sufficient effort to make them understand who they are, their role in the organisation, what the organisation’s role is and what are the expectations in the society,” Ramnarine stated.

Another case involved a constable who was handling a traffic issue on the road. The matter was drawn to the Traffic Chief’s attention and the traffic head subsequently made contact with the rank.

The rank was given directions on how to proceed with the matter but, he did not comply, choosing instead to do his own thing. “Are we supposed to be silent on that? That is a matter that requires immediate action,” the commissioner asserted.

He further disclosed that the Guyana Police Force had to let go of a subordinate officer, whose wife owned a bar which was creating confusion among members of the public.

“There were complaints, congestion on the road; and the police were under pressure. Other people observed what he and his family can get away with so they decide to do the same thing too, making it difficult for the lawmen,” he stressed.

As a result of this, the force had to decide on sending off the officer.