Ramjattan urges “restraint” when consuming alcohol

…following two fatal accidents involving Cops

Following recent reports of two Guyana Police Force members being involved in fatal motor vehicular accidents while under the influence of alcohol, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan has called for law enforcement ranks to be more

disciplined in their personal lives, as he called for more restraint when imbibing. In recent weeks, Constable Ryan Persaud and Deputy Superintendent Patrick Todd were both detained by their colleagues for allegedly causing the deaths of two persons in separate motor vehicular accidents. This set alight much debate over the conduct of officers who are tasked with upholding law and order.
Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan weighed in on the issue at the 2019 Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) staff training on Monday, highlighting the many social ills that surround intoxication, including domestic violence. With great emphasis and conviction, the Minister who called for improved personal conduct, said also that ranks should seek alternatives to driving when they have had too many drinks. He suggested that ranks hire a taxi or ensure that one rank is not intoxicated.
“Take a taxi and go home or ask another Policeman to drive you home who is not drunk or had any drink but Guyanese love to take a chance,” he stressed.
The ranks involved in the recent incidents were both over the age of 21, with the senior of the two being reportedly close to retirement. In 2017, Ramjattan signalled his support for increasing the legal age of purchasing alcohol from 18 to 21. However on Monday, he curtailed those previous statements.
“I believe that self-restraint more than making a new law to amend the age from 18-21 will do the trick. We have to get people to understand that alcohol is bad for them. Not exclusively but moderate use of it can be allowed and that is the position of this Administration,” the Public Security Minister outlined.
Sixty-four-year-old Hague, West Coast Demerara, pedal cyclist Conrad Alleyne, lost his life on the Boerasirie Bridge last week and the Superintendent was allegedly at fault. Meanwhile, 23-year old Constable Ryan Persaud of Kitty, Georgetown, was in early September released on $25,000 bail after he was charged for allegedly driving Guyana Police Force minibus PVV 4652, while his breath alcohol level was 91 micrograms. The normal breath alcohol level is 35 micrograms. East Ruimveldt resident Akemo Anthony was killed in that Mandela Avenue, Georgetown accident.
Neither Persaud nor Todd has been arraigned on the charge of causing death by dangerous driving as legal advice is being sought in both matters. From January to November 2018, there have been 94 road fatalities; an increase from the 81 such cases that were recorded for 2016 at the comparable period.