-says child’s grandmother
Residents of Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara are calling on the hierarchy of the Guyana Police Force to investigate the “unprofessional” actions of ranks who descended on the community last Friday and attempted to arrest a 12-year-old boy while pointing guns at him.
One upset resident told Stabroek News that recently ranks headed by a cadet officer have been constantly patrolling Middle Street, Pouderoyen which has left them feeling uncomfortable. “They are in here sometimes five times a day” the resident said, adding that at night the young men in the area particularly those with cycles are targeted.
The resident told this newspaper that last Friday around 6 pm, the children of the area were on the roadway practising for school sports when a police vehicle came with “one speed” resulting in them running in different directions.
She said that a 12-year-old boy ran into his yard and was immediately pursued by the ranks who attempted to arrest him.
Efforts by Stabroek News to contact police officials for a comment were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile Elsa Cameron, the child’s grandmother told this newspaper that tomorrow she will attempt to meet with the Commander to vent her concern since the children of the community have been left traumatized.
She recalled that as she was awaiting the start of the news she heard her grandson hollering “Granny, Granny.” Cameron said that when she ran outside she saw at least ten policemen in her yard. One of them she said was holding onto the boy while several others had their guns trained on him.
A still upset Cameron told this newspaper that she tried to inquire from the ranks what was happening but was rudely told that the boy was wanted for questioning at the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station.
The woman said that she asked what for, and a rank in response said, “Don’t botha fuh what. When he go at the station he gon know.” She said that she told the ranks that the boy was only 12 years old and that he was not a bad child.
She said that in the middle of her pleading, one rank told her that if she doesn’t be quiet she would be arrested and locked up.
At that moment, she said that the boy’s mother who was asleep came out and tried to ascertain what was happening and she too was threatened with arrest if she said anything.
Cameron said that she went up and pulled the rank’s hand off her grandson and she held onto the boy. Subsequently the ranks left and a lawyer advised her to visit the station.
The woman told this newspaper that at the station the ranks were uncooperative and in one case told her, “We ain’t got to answer because we doin we job.” The woman said that one of the ranks even asked her why the boy ran when he saw the police.
She said that after returning home without any satisfaction she dialled the 911 emergency hotline and was advised to visit the commander.
“It [their conduct] was not professional at all. It was traumatizing,” she said, adding that she later received information that the ranks were looking for a young man from the street.
