Attack on Police Officer: Top Cop calls on public to assist in maintaining law and order

– Police ranks are required to execute duties within confines of law

– Opposition MP

In light of a viral video that showed a Police officer being attacked and beaten in the vicinity of MovieTowne at Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown on Friday, Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken reiterated that the Guyana Police Force has zero tolerance for such behaviour.
Police stated that the victim, Constable Harlequin, and another rank were performing traffic duties at the Plaisance Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara (ECD), when they intercepted a heavily tinted vehicle driven by Kessee Edwards.
As Constable Harlequin approached Edwards and informed him of the traffic offence, he refused to comply with the officer’s request to take his vehicle to the Sparendaam Police Station for inspection.

Instead, Edwards sped off, and the officers pursued him. Eventually, the vehicle was intercepted in the vicinity of MovieTowne.
The situation escalated when Edwards approached the officer and started hurling expletives towards him. The officer retaliated by making attempts to arrest Edwards, but the driver and another man attacked and started to assault the peace officer.
Public-spirited citizens who witnessed the incident intervened, and one person confronted the assailants. Edwards was eventually arrested and taken into custody at the Sparendaam Police Station pending investigation.
However, the Guyana Police Force subsequently issued a statement expressing the acting Top Cop’s zero tolerance for unprovoked attacks on officers.
He said the Police Force will not tolerate any such behaviour, and they will take appropriate action against anyone who assaults Police officers while performing their duties.

“Commissioner of Police Mr Clifton Hicken has expressed outrage at the assault and said this behaviour would not be tolerated, and anyone who feels they can assault and attack the Police while carrying out their sworn duty to serve and protect will face the full brunt of the law,” the statement noted.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner is asking the general public to continue providing assistance to officers as they aim to maintain law and order.
In addition, Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) and APNU’s Shadow Home Affairs Minister, Geeta Chandan-Edmond, has also condemned the abhorrent and abominable conduct of the two civilians and said she has examined attempts to defend this action by the perpetrators.
“I have taken note of the content of the video recording and the subsequent release from the Guyana Police Force in relation to this incident… civilians are required and urged to respect members of the armed forces who are discharging their duties within the confines of the law. Similarly, police ranks are required to execute their duties within the confines of the law.”
She further reminded civilians that in instances where ranks act contrary to the provisions of law, there are mechanisms for recourse.
“First, we should comply and then complain. I trust the Guyana Police Force will ensure that there is maximum accountability consistent with the law.”