Alcohol “planted” in Police vehicle during operation in Reg 5 – Commander

Following a video that has been circulating on social media of a bottle of beer in a Police patrol vehicle during an operation in Regional Division Five (Mahaica-Berbice) on Saturday evening, the Commander has refuted the claims that the cops were drinking on the job.
The video that was publicly circulated had shown a beer bottle inside the cup holder of the vehicle while the ranks were on duty. The video was taken at the Level Up Bar located at Bath Settlement in Region Five.
However, Regional Commander Kurleigh Simon explained that on the night the video was taken, ranks responded to a complaint of noise nuisance which was made directly to him. He said he had ordered ranks to immediately proceed to the scene to conduct an investigation.
“It is not the first time that there was a confrontation between the Police and citizens at the very location. Previously persons had to be arrested for disorderly conduct. The bar (Level Up) owner has also complained about patrons playing music from their vehicles resulting in her establishment being stained.”
“This was done at a meeting between bar/night club owners, promoters, and the Division’s hierarchy after the COVID restrictions were lifted,” the Commander reported in a subsequent release to the media.
Based on the video, the patrol vehicle was left unattended, while the cops went into the bar. The keys were also left in the vehicle.
As such, the Division Commander said that the video is malicious and is aimed at besmirching the Police for doing their duty. Since the incident, an initial investigation (breathalyser test) has proven that the ranks had no trace of alcohol in their system.
“…it has been noted that the Police acted negligently in leaving the vehicle unattended which allowed person(s) to plant the beer bottle and make the video,” the report stated.
To that end, Police said a review of their operations will be done.
Investigations are ongoing.