CPA officers caught on video dragging schoolgirl suspended

Two officers attached to the Child Care and Protection Agency (CPA) have been suspended with immediate effect after video circulated on social media showed them dragging a schoolgirl along the roadway. Human Services and Social Security Minister Vindhya Persaud, on Tuesday, described the incident as appalling and confirmed that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has been called to investigate the matter urgently.

“They have been suspended with immediate effect, and the Police have been called in to take action. They will be held accountable for their conduct which runs counter to the values and operational procedures of the Child Protection Agency,” the Minister stated. In the video, which was seen by this publication and which has been shared on social media, two female officers are seen pulling the girl by her arms and hair, dragging her along the roadway in her school uniform. In the video passers-by plead with them to stop, adding that they will be releasing the video recording of their actions. The footage has since sparked widespread condemnation. Persaud, in her statement, emphasised that such conduct will not be tolerated and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to protecting the children of Guyana. “Incidents such as this cannot and will not be tolerated,” she said.