Treat indigenous persons with respect – DPP to cops

…ranks in Baramita partake in gender, cultural sensitivity training

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in collaboration with the Justice Education Society (JES) hosted a four-day training session on general and cultural sensitivity with ranks at the Baramita Police Station, Region One (Barima-Waini) earlier this month.
In her opening remarks, DPP Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC, urged the Police ranks to always respect the Indigenous community they serve, reminding them that Guyana’s first people, like all other Guyanese, have rights under the supreme law, the Constitution of Guyana.
She implored the Police ranks that whenever complainants approach them to make reports of crimes involving trafficking in persons, sexual offences, domestic violence, consumption of alcohol by underage children and young teenagers, and the smoking of marijuana, “You must always treat them with respect, they are like any other Guyanese who have rights…”

The DPP explained the law governing indictable matters such as murder, rape, and other sexual offences as well as lesser offences like larceny, assault, and disorderly behaviour.
During her introductory remarks, JES Country Representative, Lisa Thompson echoed similar sentiments to those of the DPP when she told the participants they are the first persons to interact with the residents when something happens.
“You are the first people they come to when they need help.”
The training was aimed at delivering greater equality in access to justice for women and girls and empowering lndigenous women and girls to be less vulnerable to violence, in particular sexual and gender-based violence, sexual violence, homicides, and gender-based assaults.
Several ranks of the Baramita Police Station were in attendance.
The DPP suggested that the Toshao, Onika Melbourne, in collaboration with the Police and Village Council meet with the parents along with social workers to confront the selling of alcohol to children. lt was reported at the meeting that children are seen consuming High Wine regularly.

After the meeting, the DPP recommended and agreed with Assistant Superintendent of Police James Tappin’s suggestion for the Village Council to set up a task force that would comprise individuals from the various Government and non-government entities to work along with residents on their complaints. Among the residents who turned out to meet with the DPP were the Toshao, who interpreted the English language to the Carib dialect spoken by the residents and Medex Holly Edghilo, who has served the community for over a decade. The DPP’s team included Assistant DPP Dionne McCammon and Communications Officer Liz Rahaman. (G1)