Dear Editor,
I refer to the letter by Commissioner of Police (ag) Henry Greene captioned “The constable was not absent from court as Mr. Persaud claimed” (08.02.15). I stand by the facts stated in my letter which can be supported by scores of persons who were present in the Suddie Court at the time. The constable was not there when called to give evidence.
Many observers, litigants and other prominent persons in the court room at the time have expressed dismay at the findings of the investigation which was launched from my letter of complaint relating to the indisciplined conduct of Constable 1877 Butters who is attached to the T.S.U.
The constable had travelled all the way from Police Headquarters in Georgetown as a witness to testify in two traffic cases, one of which was called and postponed in the morning session while he was present in uniform at the request of a female lawyer from the city representing the defendant.
I can remember vividly the Magistrate asking the Prosecutor, “Where is the witness” while pointing out “I saw him here this morning.”
The prosecutor even requested that a check be made at the nearby station to see if Butters was there which prompted Defence Counsel to say that too much time would be wasted and a request was made by him there and then for an adjournment which was granted.
At no time, whatsoever throughout the entire afternoon session was Butters ever present in the compound nor in the court room.
For some time I have been advocating the establishment of an independent body to investigate complaints made against ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and until such time as this is done, the best results will never be achieved.
Yours faithfully,
Baliram Persaud
