These two police ranks are terrorizing Albouystown residents

Dear Editor,
I write to draw to the attention of the public and those in authority a pattern of abuse towards the residents of Albouystown by two police patrols headed by Cadet Officers (names given) which, if left unchecked, could further tarnish the image of the Guyana Police Force and the reputation of the hard­working and honest members of this law enforcement body. It is lamentable that this type of indiscriminate behavior comes at a time when the force is striving to rebuild the trust it lost in citizens of communities such as Albouystown and also at a time when the cooperation of law abiding citizens is needed to combat heightened criminal activity.

The former Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran was spot-on when he noted (Stabroek News 2012-05-14) that “young men in their twenties and thirties who drive motor vehicles, especially if they are new cars, SUVs or pick-up trucks” and those also “riding motor cycles” are being targeted by “rude, power hungry policemen.”

From my own personal experiences this seems to be the case with these cadet officers. If the former speaker’s son (also a member of the legal profession) could be treated in such a manner by these ranks, who by their own admission are acting without the fear of recrimination, then one can just imagine the abuse hapless residents of this community are being made to endure.

One such incident which immediately comes to mind is the brutality meted out against Gregory ‘Bird’ Payne in full view of at least 50 persons on May 27 by one of the cadet officers and his squad. Payne was searched and taken out of a yard, then repeatedly stomped about his body. One rank held unto a GPL lamp pole as Payne lay on the ground in an effort to better position himself for the assault. He also had his bicycle thrown on him in the police van.

This happened even as onlookers who were warned against filming the incident berated them, only to be told ‘alyuh could tell who the (expletive) ya’ll want’. Payne who was later charged for possession of a firearm and 4 matching rounds of ammunition had his initial ‘guilty’ plea changed to ‘not guilty’ after he related his ordeal to the presiding Magistrate. Video evidence depicting some parts of the assault was provided along with this letter.

Payne’s case is by no means an isolated one as another member of this community and her brother were similarly brutalized. A female resident as assaulted and insulted when she tried to rescue her brother from a “sound thrashing” by the other cadet officer and his men.

The woman later said she believed the policemen “stormed through the area with the intention of killing someone.” Similar stories of abuse, extortion, harassment and brutality by these ranks can be heard at almost every corner throughout Albouystown.

My most recent encounter with this rank and his men happened on the evening of July 3rd when a relative of mine parked his motorcycle on our bridge and proceeded to a friend’s home a few corners away. The rank made some enquiries as to the owner of the motorcycle and even though the owner’s  location was pointed out and an effort made to have him provide the necessary documentation they still took possession of his motorcycle after becoming very abusive, issuing threats and charging “ya’ll cud call who eva ya’ll wan”.

Enquiries were then made at the Ruimveldt Police station about the location of the seized motorcycle and my relatives and I were shocked when we initially learnt that no one was aware of its location. A rank that recognized me from an earlier visit I made at the behest of a senior police officer than radioed the cadet officer who turned up by himself to say that the seized
motorcycle was at police headquarters, Eve Leary and that a verification of the authenticity of the documents will take several days, thus it will remain impounded.

Over the past two months or so residents of Albouystown have had to suffer a host of abuse at the hands of patrols headed by these two ranks who are yet to be confirmed as officers. The level of disdain and disrespect shown is alarming and even more so is the fact that these guys act as though they are beyond reproach. I was told that one of these ranks has at least four disciplinary matters currently pending before the police OPR. It is time that serious action is taken against this rank and his like-minded colleagues.
(Name provided)

The latitude given the police back in the 2002-2006 terror hay day needs to now be trimmed.  Its clear the police have become heavy-handed.

There is no harm when eradicating terrorists and extremists. Wipe them out.

The last part of the report clearly stated that the area was harbouring criminal elements.

Your posts certainly show that you have no class. Try looking up the word feces, your pic shows up beside it.

You can emphasize on everything you feel displease with the GPF. You failed to understand that every undertaken is judged on its own merit and there must be due to process when it is warranted. Guyana is not perfect, but they're getting there. The GDF/GPF is more discipline than they ever been. Your sole purpose is to cast obscurity on Guyana, the PPP and the law enforcement officers for discharging their duties to maintain the peace. I am sure you have a lot more dirt in your archive that means little or nothing to the every day people of Guyana.

It it's plain to see from your post, that you don't have a clue what you're talking about. And that is because you haven't had any encounters with these guys. The GPF is not as disciplined as you would want to believe. They're some of the most corrupt people you would ever meet.
But as I said before, when one is sitting in one's living room in america, out of harm's way, it's so easy to fantasize.

Sheik , when the politics , govt , civil service and all it arms are corrupt how can you question the GPF and GDF who hold the power of daily enforcement about being excessive. Corruption must be cured from the top down or it wont be cured at the bottom . You guys need to get real and stop passing the buck. Since 1992 the country has been lacking a commander in command and control . The country needs a real commander in chief who can and is in control.

Destructive elements in the AFC and PNC cry racism when the government acts. They use places like Linden as political paws to take advantage politically. 

The people of Linden have been used a pawns since the days of Dictator Burnham to present day by the PNC and AFC. They prefer to see and encourage Linden to be the way it is and that is, backwards.

Linden will eventually become one of the most depressed areas of Guyana. They are driving away investors and will fail to attract new businesses. They are undoing themselves as a result of blind political affiliation to the PNC and AFC while the rest of the nation works hard, prosper and encourage investment.

Linden is now on a downward spiral. Bosai is now seeking an exit strategy. Let us see what the opposition will offer after this company leaves. In Guyana, they say that you cannot chew sugar cane and blow whistle at the same time.

The fate of Linden lies in the hands of the people who reside there and they are slowly destroying their children's future and are being used as political pawns by the AFC and PNC.

The police are the bane of existence of common folks so quit the crap and accept that. Accept also, the fact that there has been a back log of cases  going close to 8 years with no end in sight. Incompetence in all levels of the judiciary are a plague on the ordinary man.

Yuji 22 like you speaking from Albouystown experiences there bro.

I once saw someone inflict some serious blows on an ex-convict in Albouystown .  The ex-convict had taken control of some people in his terrority and was demanding money weekly from them.

 He is plainly a moron. Speaking of the law and labeling law breakers terrorists does not allow an administration to act extra-judicially. Its leaders will quickly end up before an international tribunal for crimes against humanity or the society will recoil in horror and strike back.  This man is plainly a fool.

This man Storm has been caught here lying. He once ran to admin complaining when he was called a fool. Well Storm...... you better be able to take it back.

I forgot that you missed some posts because you were out spending your welfare cheque on booze and other of your goodies.

You are clearly one of those idiots who can never think straight and envision yourself to be a genius.

The only thing one would ever be caught lying about by you is praising you as ever being able to reason straight

As for the last sentence, it is quite clear to see  how you come up with ideas; you simply make them up because it makes you feel good. Sadly you still remain a moron.

Own up to your lies Storm. You are on record here based on your own post that you are black, married to a black woman and have black children. All of a sudden you now claim that you have Indian children.

Stop lying. It is ok to be who you are. You are making a total mockery of yourself.

Yes my wife is black and I have a son. It is also clear to everyone of the older posters here for over a decade that I have twin daughters from an earlier relationship and they are indian. As I said you reason like a cow.