Sex workers being approached by a senior rank of ‘A’ Division
THE Guyana Trans United Organisation, an umbrella body for the local commercial sex workers, yesterday picketed the Brickdam Police Station against alleged police reverse action with respect to their (alleged) slothfulness in prosecuting the men who opened fire on their colleagues a month ago.
Sex workers being approached by a senior rank of ‘A’ Division
Approximately one month ago, two male commercial sex workers were allegedly indiscriminately shot at in the vicinity of North Road and King Street, Georgetown, opposite the St George’s Cathedral, by individuals travelling in a minibus. They sustained injuries that resulted in them requiring hospitalisation.
The picketing exercise conducted outside the Brickdam Police Station dealt with what the shot workers’ colleagues termed police reluctance to bring the shooters to justice, even as the GPF had been provided with the registration number of the vehicle transporting the shooter(s).
Police ‘A’ Division Commander, Clifton Hicken told the Chronicle that the matter occurred before he had been posted to command the division; but after the picketing exercise yesterday, he immediately sent for the file on the matter, and assured that it would receive attention and be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions before the end of the week.
Commander Hicken said that while he understands individuals protested because they felt the process is moving too slowly, members of the public, especially those in ‘A’ Division, must feel free to approach him personally with their concerns, or be at liberty to engage any of his senior officers, since he has an open-door policy in regard to treating with the public.
He said many of the issues which people choose to protest about and hold picketing exercise in regard to, are ones that he is sure could be addressed without the negative press and publicity usually associated with the issues.
The male commercial sex workers told the Chronicle that, whenever they visit the Brickdam Police Station, there are two particular police ranks attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) who never seem willing to take their complaints.
They said those ranks are, however, very eager to take the complaints against them brought by other members of the public; and when those reports are made, the ranks would work overtime to have them arrested and placed before the courts.
Written By Asif Hakim